Advance voting 2026: dates, where to vote and the record early turnout
Advance voting for New Zealand's 2026 election runs from 26 October to 6 November. Here's how it works, where to vote early, and how this year's turnout compares.
In this guide
Advance voting means voting before election day at any advance voting place. It's now how most New Zealanders vote. For 2026, advance voting runs for 12 days, from Monday 26 October to Friday 6 November, ahead of election day on Saturday 7 November.
Quick answer
- Dates: 26 October to 6 November 2026. Opening hours vary, so check vote.nz.
- Who can: anyone enrolled. You don't need a reason to vote early.
- Where: any advance voting place in New Zealand, including many in malls, libraries and community halls.
- Turnout: 309,876 votes in the first three days, up from 235,515 at the same stage in 2023.
- Results: advance votes are counted first and released from about 7:30pm on election night.
How advance voting works
Advance voting is the same as voting on election day. You go to a voting place, give your name and address (or your EasyVote card), get your ballot paper, make your two votes and put it in the ballot box. Our step-by-step guide walks you through it.
The only differences are timing and counting. Advance votes are stored securely and counted on election day, so they're the first results you'll see on election night.
Why vote early?
- Shorter queues on most days, especially early in the period.
- Flexibility if you're working, travelling or busy on Saturday 7 November.
- No rush if you need help or extra time.
- More voting places open on weekdays in busy areas like city centres and shopping malls.
There's one reason to be careful: if you vote early and something happens later in the campaign, you can't change your vote.
The record-breaking rise of advance voting
Advance voting has grown from a niche option to the main way people vote.
Advance votes at the last three elections
- 20171,240,740
- 20201,976,996
- 20231,368,830
In 2020, about two in three voters voted before election day, as people spread out their voting during COVID-19. In 2023 the share of ordinary votes cast in advance was about 61%.
2026 is running ahead of 2023. In the first three days, 309,876 people voted, compared with 235,515 in 2023. By the final week, almost a million people had voted, according to The Press.
First three days of advance voting
- 2023235,515
- 2026309,876
Where to vote early
Find advance voting places on vote.nz. You can search by address or browse a map. Each listing shows opening hours and accessibility. Some places only open on certain days, and hours usually get longer towards the end of the period.
If you vote at an advance voting place outside your electorate, your vote is a special vote. That's fine. It just gets counted after election night.
Advance voting rules
- No campaigning within 10 metres of an advance voting place.
- Free food, drink (other than water) and entertainment are banned within 100 metres of voting place entrances under the 2025 law change.
- No photos of your completed ballot paper.
- You can't change your vote once it's in the ballot box.
Advance votes on election night
Advance votes are the first results released, from around 7:30pm. Because people who vote early aren't a random sample of all voters, early results can lean differently from the final count. Read advance vote results explained before reading too much into them.
Questions and answers
When is advance voting for the 2026 NZ election?
From Monday 26 October to Friday 6 November 2026. Election day is Saturday 7 November.
Do I need a reason to vote early?
No. Anyone who is enrolled can vote early at any advance voting place.
Where can I advance vote?
At any advance voting place in New Zealand. Find them, with hours and accessibility details, at vote.nz.
How many people have voted early in 2026?
309,876 people voted in the first three days, up from 235,515 in 2023. By the final week almost a million had voted.
Are advance votes counted?
Yes. They're counted on election day and are the first results published on election night.
What is an advance poll in NZ?
"Advance poll" is another name for advance voting: voting before election day. It isn't an opinion poll, and no results are released until voting closes at 7pm on election day.
Sources
- Electoral Commission: advance voting dates and statistics.
- vote.nz: advance voting places.
- The Press: 2026 early voting pace.
- The rise and rise of advance voting, The Spinoff.
This guide is general information about New Zealand elections, checked against the sources linked above on 3 November 2026. For anything about your own enrolment or vote, check vote.nz or call the Electoral Commission on 0800 36 76 56.
Keep reading
Advance vote results: why they're counted first and what they tell you
Advance votes are the first results released on election night. Here's how they're counted, how big they are in 2026, and why they can lean differently from the final result.
How to vote in the 2026 NZ election: a step-by-step guide
Where to vote, what to take, how to fill in the ballot paper, and what to do if you've moved, lost your EasyVote card or need help. Everything for 7 November 2026.
Election day rules in NZ: what you can and can't do on 7 November
No campaigning, no social posts about parties, no ballot selfies. A clear guide to New Zealand's election day rules for voters, social media, businesses and media.