Following the Prime Minister’s announcement of the election date, the Electoral Commission has confirmed the timetable
for the 2020 General Election.
The 2020 General Election will be held on Saturday 19 September 2020. Referendums will also be held on cannabis and end
of life choice. The key dates for the election and referendums are:
Tuesday 28 January Prime Minister announces dates for 2020 General Election Friday 19 JuneRegulated period for election advertising expenses beginsMonday 6 July Launch of Electoral Commission enrolment update campaign Wednesday 12 August Dissolution of ParliamentSunday 16 August Writ Day - the Governor General issues formal direction to the Electoral Commission to hold the electionWednesday 2 September Overseas voting startsMonday 7 September Advance voting startsFriday 18 September Advance voting ends Friday 18 September midnightRegulated period ends. All election and referendum advertising must end. Signs must be taken down by midnight. Saturday 19 September Election day. Voting places open from 9.00am to 7.00pm
Election night. Preliminary election results released progressively from 7.00pm on www.electionresults.govt.nz
Referendum votes will not be counted on election night Friday 2 October Preliminary referendum results will be releasedFriday 9 October Official results for the 2020 General Election and referendums declared Thursday 15 OctoberLast day for the return of the writ
The timetable for the election is determined in accordance with the Electoral Act 1993 and these dates are based on
proposed amendments in the Electoral Amendment Bill being in place before the election.