Can I draw a dick and balls on my voting papers and other questions you may have...
Got a burning question about the election? We want to answer your questions so you have nothing to stop you voting! Also, we know it's been three years since the last election and most of us can't remember what happened yesterday - so we have details about where to watch live and how it all works.
On Friday, we will publish an election drinking game and some meditations and the comments section will act as a live chat for everyone getting progressively drunk or high on election night.
Remember: You can also vote before the election date! You can vote today! Find an early voting place.
Arohanui, Emily + Josh.
Feel free to skip to the comments if you read this already in your email!
When can I vote?
Right now! Early voting stations are open across the country. Otherwise, you can vote on election day, Saturday 7 November; all voting places will be open from 9AM to 7PM.
Where can I vote?
Here's a map of places to vote!
I don't have a car, and I can't get to my nearest voting place. What should I do?
Reply to this email or comment below with where you live, and we will organise a ride for you.
If you can’t get to a voting place and don't have someone to collect your voting papers for you, contact your electorate manager. You may be able to have your voting papers dropped off or delivered to you, then collected.
If you have a friend or family member - they can pick up a takeaway vote pack for you and bring it to you, then return it.
I'm working on election day. What do I do?
You’re legally allowed time away from work to vote on election day. You can also vote early at an advance voting place.
If you haven’t had a reasonable chance to vote before starting work on election day and you’re not doing any essential work or service, your employer must let you leave work to vote by 3PM. You’re legally allowed to be away from work for the rest of the day if you need that time to vote. They can't dock your pay. Show your boss this.
Can I take a support person with me to vote?
Yes, you can! A support person can come with you to vote - if anyone says they can't - show them this.
Your support person can:
- Go behind the voting screen with you
- Read out the words and information on your voting paper
- Mark the voting papers for you if you ask them to
What do I take with me when I vote?
Take your EasyVote card if you have it - it will be in your email, or you will have been sent it to your home. If you haven’t got a card or forget it, you can still vote!
You don’t need to bring ID.
What if I'm enrolled but at my old address?
If you’re enrolled at your old address, you can still vote, but you may need to make a special vote. If your change of address means you are now in a different electorate, only your party vote will count.
What if I thought I was enrolled but I might not be?
If you’ve moved house since you enrolled to vote or last updated your enrolment details, you may be on the dormant roll.
If you’re on the dormant roll, you’re still eligible to vote; you just need to make a special vote. If your change of address means you are now in a different electorate, only your party vote will count.
Is it too late to check if I'm enrolled?
No - check here.
Is it too late to enrol?
Yes, because this government is shit and they changed rules that had been in place for decades that allowed enrolment right up until election day.
What should I do if I'm not enrolled?
Still go and vote. Your special vote likely won't be counted, but they will collect data on how many people vote but are unenrolled, and that's important. The Electoral Commission has said they'll record the number of disallowed votes in the final election result.
I look so cute; can I take a photo of myself voting?
Sadly no, publishing photos or videos of someone completing their voting paper is a potential offence and not allowed at any voting place.
Can I put on my Insta that I voted Green and everyone should vote Green on election day?
No. From midnight before election day until 7pm on election day, you can’t post or share any content that’s likely to - or is intended to - influence someone’s candidate vote or party vote.
But I'm not being paid it's just my personal view?
The election day rules make no exemption for the expression of personal political views online.
What if I accidentally tick the wrong party?
Don't worry - you can just take it back to the person who gave you one and ask for a new voting paper.
So should I take screenshots when right-wingers share stuff on election day and dob them in?
Snitches get stitches, except when you're dobbing in right-wingers. So go for gold.
Can I draw a dick and balls on my voting paper?
Don't draw a dick and balls. This election is serious and someone might decide it's a spoilt vote. It may not be counted and we need every vote to count.
Can I take my child with me to vote?
You sure can! It's a good lesson in democracy! Dependentst can come with you as you vote, although obviously they cannot vote themselves.
Who should I vote for?
Emily Writes
When will we start to see results?
From 7PM, we will start getting information.
Where will we start to see results? Can I watch the election live?
I'll be listening/watching on RNZ. Lisa Owen and John Campbell will host RNZ’s multi-media Election Night Special, airing from 7PM till midnight. Streaming on RNZ.
Samantha Hayes and Patrick Gower will be on Threenow and Stuff.
Jack Tame and Tova O’Brien will have an Election Night Special on TVNZ 1 and TVNZ+. Fair warning: They'll also have Paul Henry so obviously skip that one if you don't want to violently vomit all night.
All of them start at 6PM or 7PM - but no results will come through until after 7pm.
Will we know who is in government by the end of the night?
Only if there's a clear winner with no kingmaker needed to make up seats in Parliament. Who knows if that will be the case...
Who will win?
Your guess is as good as mine! Polls are essentially showing a coin flip so let’s all scream together AGHHHSHUEVAHSHJKAKLLAKKKD
If you've appreciated my political writing and coverage over the last three years, please consider a paid subscription or a koha, as this is my full-time job and every contribution counts. Koha are one-off but help me and my family more than I can say. Arohanui Emily