More than 3.7 million kiwis have enrolled to vote in the 2026 general election, with the deadline closing at midnight on Sunday, October 25.
According to the Electoral Commission, 3,759,992 kiwis enrolled to vote. This number represents 92.8 per cent of the estimated eligible voting population.
The figure is subject to change as the Commission continues to process applications and check its records. The final enrolment number will be available after this.
So how does this compare to last time?
In the 2023 general election, 3,688,292 New Zealanders enrolled to vote.
This means that the provisional enrolment figure for 2026 is up by 71,700 in comparison to the last election. However, there was a lower number of eligible voters in 2023, so while their figure was smaller, their percentage of eligible voters was 94.7 per cent - 1.9 per cent higher than this year.
The latest reported enrolment rate for 18 to 24-year-olds was 71.2 per cent.
Once enrolments closed, advance voting began on Monday 26. More than 2,300 locations are expected to be open around Aotearoa on election day, Saturday, November 7, with voting available from 9am - 7pm.
A voter enrolled in any electorate can vote in any voting place across Aotearoa. You can search for voting places near you on an interactive map provided by the Electoral Commission.
When you arrive at your chosen voting place, staff in orange vests will greet you and answer any questions you have. Then you will cast your vote and receive an ‘I voted’ sticker to wear proudly.
During an election there are rules around what you can and can’t post on social media. From midnight before election day until 7pm on election day, you aren’t allowed to share any content that is intended to influence someone’s candidate or party vote.
As stated by the Electoral Commission, the election day rules make no exemption for the expression of personal political views online.
The votes cast by kiwis on November 7 will determine the members of Parliament who represent New Zealanders and contribute to forming the next government.
Enrolling was just the first step, now it’s time to get ready to vote.
More information about enrolment, voting places, and the election is available at vote.nz.
