MEDIA RELEASE

Monday 2 February 2015
Electoral Commission
Te Kaitiaki Take Kōwhiri

Electoral Commission Preparing for Northland by-Election

The Electoral Commission is preparing to deliver a by-election in the Northland electorate on Saturday 28 March.

“This by-election is to select a new local Member of Parliament for the Northland general electorate,” says Chief Electoral Officer Robert Peden. “In a by-election, people have only one vote - for their electorate MP. There is no party vote.”

“It is important to remember that only those who are enrolled on the general roll in the Northland electorate are entitled to vote in the by-election,” says Mr Peden. “If you’re enrolled, check that your details are correct. If you’re not enrolled, do it now.”

The Electoral Commission expects to provide around 90 voting places across the Northland electorate, which extends from just below Wellsford north to Cape Reinga, excluding Whangarei and its surrounding area.

Advance and overseas voting will start on Wednesday 11 March, and information about where and when to vote will be available from www.elections.org.nz from Wednesday 4 March 2013.

“We will be working in the community to ensure voters enrolled in the Northland electorate know that the by-election is on, how to make sure they are enrolled, and where and when to vote.”

“We also need around 300 people around Northland to help us deliver this important event,” says Mr Peden. “Applications are now open for those wanting to work on the by-election. Visitwww.elections.org.nz or call 0800 36 76 56 for more information.”

Enrolling is quick and easy. Freetext your name and address to 3676, go to www.elections.org.nz, visit any PostShop or call 0800 36 76 56. People can also check and update their details atwww.elections.org.nz.

More information about enrolling and voting is available from www.elections.org.nz.

ENDS

A timeline for the Northland by-election is set out below.

28 MARCH NORTHLAND BY-ELECTION TIMETABLE

Monday 2 February Northland electorate by-election date announced

Monday 23 February Writ Day
Governor General issues writ directing the Electoral Commission to hold the Northland by-election.
Electoral Rolls close for printing.
Voters enrolled after this date cast a special declaration vote.

Tuesday 24 February Nominations open for candidates in the Northland by-election

Tuesday 3 March Nominations close for candidates in the Northland by-
Noon Deadline election

Tuesday 3 March Northland by-election candidates announced by the
4.00pm target Electoral Commission.
Voting place and advance voting place details available.
Ballot paper printing starts.

Wednesday 11 March Overseas voting starts
Advance voting starts

Monday 16 March Easyvote packs arrive with voters

Friday 27 March Enrolments close

Friday 27 March All political advertising ceasesand election signs taken down by midnight

Saturday 28 March Election day for Northland By-election
Voting places open from 9.00am to 7.00pm

Saturday 28 March Preliminary Results progressively available from 7pm
on www.electionresults.govt.nz. Targets for release are:
- by 7.30pm all advance vote results
- by 9.00pm results from 50% of voting places
- by 10.00pm results from 100% of voting places.
These are targets not guarantees.

Wednesday 8 April Official Results declared (including special declaration and
noon target overseas votes)

Monday 13 April Deadline for applications for judicial recount

Tuesday 14 April Return of Writ by Electoral Commission naming successful candidate (presuming no recount)

Thursday 9 July Deadline for Returns of Candidate Election Expenses and Donations to Electoral Commission

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