Tuesday 30 August 2005

Chief Electoral Office Ministry of Justice

Advance Voting Begins Tomorrow

Advance voting starts tomorrow (Wednesday 31 August) for people who can't get to a polling place in their electorate on Election Day, 17 September.

"Voters can vote at one of 227 advance voting facilities throughout the country," says Chief Electoral Officer David Henry.

"We're encouraging anyone who can't get to a polling place in their electorate on Election Day to vote in advance," says Mr Henry. "This avoids them missing out on voting or having to cast a special declaration vote on Election Day.

"In particular, we're urging people who will be overseas or travelling in New Zealand to vote in advance," says Mr Henry.

"In addition, if for other reasons you can't vote on Election Day, then you can vote in advance from 31 August 2005.

"Advance voting may also be a good option for people with disabilities. The majority of advance voting facilities will either be fully accessible or accessible with assistance for voters with disabilities."

Details of advance voting facilities, including their accessibility ratings, are available from the elections website www.elections.org.nz, by calling 0800 36 76 56 or from local Returning Officers.

In 2002, over 130,000 people voted in advance. Advance votes accounted for six percent of votes cast in the 2002 General Election.

ENDS

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