Election day rules in NZ: what you can and can't do on 7 November

New Zealand has some of the strictest election day rules in the world. From midnight until voting closes at 7pm on Saturday 7 November, campaigning of any kind is banned. That includes posts on social media. The idea is simple: voters get one day free of persuasion to make up their own minds.

Here's what that means in practice.

What you can't do on election day

The Electoral Act bans anything that could influence voters on election day. That includes:

• Campaigning for or against any party or candidate, anywhere, including online.
• Posting on social media about a party or candidate, or sharing or liking a party's post, in a way that could influence voters.
• Publishing opinion poll results or statements about how people intend to vote.
• Displaying campaign signs. All election signs must be taken down by midnight before election day.
• Photographing your completed ballot paper or showing anyone how you voted.
• Offering food, drink (other than water) or entertainment within 100 metres of a voting place entrance, under the 2025 law change.

What you can do

• Say you've voted. Posting "I voted!" is fine, as long as you don't say who for.
• Encourage people to vote, without suggesting who to vote for.
• Wear a party lapel badge or rosette. Small items like these are allowed.
• Display party colours on a person or a vehicle, such as streamers, as long as there's no party name, slogan or logo.
• Give someone a lift to a voting place.
• Share non-partisan information, like voting place locations or opening hours.

Advance voting rules

During the advance voting period, campaigning is allowed in general, but not within 10 metres of an advance voting place. The rules on photographing ballot papers and on free food and entertainment near voting places also apply.

Social media on election day

The rules apply to everyone, not just parties. If you posted campaign material before election day, you don't have to delete it, but you shouldn't post or share new material, or change your profile picture to a party logo, on the day.

Simple test: if your post could make someone more or less likely to vote for a particular party or candidate, wait until after 7pm.

News organisations also stop publishing campaign content. Our site follows the same rules: no new campaign coverage from midnight until 7pm, though practical voting information stays up.

What happens if you break the rules

Breaching election day rules is an offence under the Electoral Act, and the Electoral Commission can refer breaches to the police. In practice, the Commission usually asks people to take down posts or signs first. Serious or deliberate breaches can lead to prosecution and fines.

After 7pm

Once voting closes, the rules lift. Parties can celebrate or commiserate, everyone can share their opinions again, and results start flowing from about 7:30pm. Follow the count on our live results page, or see how to follow election night.

Questions and answers

Sources

• Electoral Commission: election day rules and the Electoral Amendment Act 2025 changes.
• vote.nz: voting information.

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.