Record numbers of advance voters ahead of 2017 general election

A staggering 133,781 people voted yesterday alone, in what has been one of the most hotly-contested general elections in years. Photo / File

A record 806,043 New Zealanders have already voted, two days ahead of Saturday's election.

The advance voting statistics from the Electoral Commission show that by this day three years ago, 717,579 people have been to the polls.

And by this stage in the election run-up in 2011, a total of just 334,558 votes had been cast.

The numbers do not include overseas votes.

A staggering 133,781 people voted yesterday alone, in what has been one of the most hotly-contested general elections in years.

The release last night of the latest 1 News Colmar Brunton poll, conducted from September 16-19, saw National arrest a slide in the polls to rise six points to 46 per cent. Labour was down seven points to 37 per cent.

Although advance voting statistics are being collected, votes will not be counted until Saturday. Statistics are not available by electorate until after election day.

The 2014 election saw a 77.90 per cent turnout of enrolled voters.

Based on the growth of advance voting over the last two elections, as many as half of voters may vote before election day this year.

Daily advance votes issued so far in the 2017 General Election compared to previous elections. Image / Electoral Commission

In 2014, 29.3 per cent of votes were cast in advance compared with 14.7 per cent in 2011.

To accommodate the growth, the Electoral Commission has looked to set up about 100 more advance voting places.

Voters who aren't already enrolled need to hurry and enrol by the end of tomorrow to be able to vote in the 2017 General Election.

Cumulative advance votes issued so far in the 2017 General Election. Image / Electoral Commission

"Election day is almost here and this is your last chance to enrol," says Alicia Wright, Chief Electoral Officer.

"It's not too late, but you need to do it right now. You can't enrol on election day, Saturday 23 September, so make sure you're enrolled by tomorrow."

More information about enrolling and voting, including a list of advance voting place locations, is available from www.elections.org.nz

This table compares the number of advance votes collected in the 2017 General Election with the equivalent days in the 2014 and 2011 General Elections. Image / Electoral Commission