Election 2014: Top 10 tips for voting

How do you make your vote count? Photo / Thinkstock

Here's what you can do to make sure your voice counts on Saturday, September 20:

1 Enrolment deadline

Voters have until Friday, September 19 to enrol. All New Zealand citizens and permanent residents aged 18 or older are required by law to enrol, although voting is not compulsory.

2 How to enrol

Voters can enrol either online at www.elections.org.nz, by free texting 3676, calling 0800 367 656, or by visiting their nearest post shop.

3 Election day

All election advertising and signs must be taken down by midnight on the night before election day, September 20. Preliminary results are released from 7pm until 11.30pm.

The official results are declared two weeks after the election, on Saturday, October 4, at 2pm.

4 Working?

Voters working on election day are legally entitled to have time away from work to go and vote. Employees who do not have a reasonable opportunity to vote before starting work on election day must be allowed to leave their work to vote no later than 3pm for the remainder of the day. Employers are not able to make deductions from their pay for the time taken off and face up to a $1000 fine for failing to comply.

5 Where you can vote

About 2650 voting booths across the country will be available for voters on election day. Voters must vote within their electorate, or cast a special vote. Voting booths can be found on the elections website, elections.org.nz

6 When you can vote

Between 9am-7pm on election day. The busiest time is usually between 9am-11am.

7 The electorate and party vote

Voters have two votes to cast on their ballot paper: one for the candidate they would most like to represent their electorate and one for the political party they would like elected to Parliament.

8 Want to vote early?

Advance voting began on September 3. Before the 2011 election, voters had to provide reasons for voting in advance, but the rules have changed and now a special reason is not required. Those overseas have also been able to vote from September 3. Advance voting booths can be found on the elections website, elections.org.nz, or freephone 0800 36 76 56.

9 Can't get to a designated voting booth in your electorate on election day?

Voters who can't get to a designated voting booth on election day can either vote in advance, or cast a special vote by filling out a declaration form. Find the form at elections.org.nz.

10 Use your EasyVote card

These aim to make voting easier and faster. You will receive an EasyVote pack in the post if you were enrolled a month before election day. Voters who do not have an EasyVote card can use a letter from the Electoral Commission or can tell polling staff their full name and address.