Children are welcome to come along when a grown-up votes. Inside, an official finds the voter on the roll, crosses off their name and hands over a ballot paper. The voter goes behind a private screen alone, ticks their choices, folds the paper and puts it in a sealed box. Kids can wait nearby, but the ticking part is always private.
Children are welcome to come along when a grown-up votes. Inside, an official finds the voter on the roll, crosses off their name and hands over a ballot paper. The voter goes behind a private screen alone, ticks their choices, folds the paper and puts it in a sealed box. Kids can wait nearby, but the ticking part is always private.
Advance voting opens Monday 26 October 2026, election day is Saturday 7 November.
Bringing an EasyVote card makes it faster, but it is not required.
The voter's name is crossed off so nobody can vote twice.
The voting screen is private, even from family.
No campaign signs or party colours are allowed inside.
Here is what you will see, in order.
Find a voting place. Lists are on vote.nz and many are in schools, halls and libraries.
An official asks the voter's name and address and finds them on the roll.
The voter is given a ballot paper and goes to a private screen.
They tick one party and one candidate, then fold the paper.
They put the folded paper in the ballot box. Done!
A secret vote means nobody can pressure, bribe or punish anyone for how they voted. That is why even you, their favourite person, cannot peek. It is one of the most important rules in a democracy.
Print this page and tick off each thing you notice on the day.
I saw the sign outside the voting place.
I saw the official cross a name off the roll.
I saw the private voting screens.
I saw the ballot box.
I noticed there were no party posters inside.
Can I go in the booth with my parent?
Usually you wait nearby. A voter can ask for help if they need it, but the vote itself stays private.
Why are there no posters inside?
Campaigning is not allowed in or near a voting place, so nobody is pushed at the last minute.
Is the ballot box ever opened early?
No. Counting starts only after voting closes at 7.00pm on election day.