17 May 2004

By-Election Preparations begin

The Chief Electoral Office has started preparations for the by-election for the Te Tai Hauauru electorate scheduled for Saturday 10 July 2004.

The by-election is necessary because of the resignation of the sitting MP, the Hon. Tariana Turia.

"Most of the preparations are similar to those for a general election," the Chief Electoral Officer, David Henry, says.

"Voters will notice that the ballot paper provides for one vote - for the preferred candidate. There is no party vote at a by-election and the outcome of the by-election will not affect the current allocation of list seats."

Only voters enrolled in the Te Tai Hauauru electorate will be able to vote. Voters can check that they are enrolled in the electorate by examining the roll for Te Tai Hauauru at a PostShop or public library within the electorate, any Registrar of Electors office, or by going to the website www.elections.org.nz.

Voters who wish to enrol can obtain enrolment forms from the same places or by calling freephone 0800 36 76 56.

Voters will receive a personalised voter information pack, including an EasyVote card, about a week before Election Day.

Voters who cannot get to a polling place and wish to vote by post should apply to the Returning Officer from 23 June or freephone 0800 36 76 56.

Voters can also vote in advance from 30 June if they are not going to be able to vote on polling day. Details of advance voting facilities will be available later from freephone 0800 36 76 56 or www.elections.org.nz.

Intending candidates should contact the Returning Officer as soon as possible to discuss the nomination procedures. Nominations and deposits must be with the Returning Officer no later than noon on Tuesday 15 June.

TE TAI HAUAURU BY-ELECTION 2004

KEY DATES

Tues 18 May-to Tue 29 June Enrolment check by voters. Voters can check that they are enrolled in the electorate by examining the roll for Te Tai Hauauru at a PostShop or public library within the electorate, any Registrar of Electors office, or by going to the website www.elections.org.nz.

Fri 4 June Writ Day. The Governor General issues the writ (directive) to the Chief Electoral Officer to hold the by-election. The Returning Officer then calls for nominations of candidates.

Fri 4 June Last day for enrolment of ordinary voters. Roll to be used on Polling day closes for printing. Voters enrolling after 4 June will need to cast a special declaration vote.

Tues 15 June (noon) Nomination of candidates. Deadline for candidate nominations and deposits ($300 cash, bank draft or bank cheque) to be received by the Returning Officer (Form M40-Nom).

Wed 23 June to Wed 7July Postal voting from New Zealand. People who cannot get to a polling place on election day 10 July can apply to make a postal vote. They should contact the Returning Officer in New Plymouth, Kevin Gunn, at 135-145 Devon Street West, New Plymouth, PO Box 971, 06 757 3830 or freephone 0800 36 76 56.

Wed 23 June Overseas voting. Voters overseas who are enrolled in Te Tai Hauauru can download voting papers from www.elections.org.nz and fax back to the Chief Electoral Office on fax +64 4 494 2300. Alternatively, they can apply to the Chief Electoral Office for a postal vote, with the option of posting or faxing back the voting papers to the Chief Electoral Office.

Wed 30 June Advance voting. Advance voting facilities available in the electorate and at Registrar of Electors offices outside the electorate for the people who cannot get to a polling place on election day 10 July. Locations will be available from www.elections.org.nz or available from freephone 0800 36 76 56.

Wed 30 June Polling day rolls on display - enrolment check by voters. Voters can check that they are enrolled in the electorate by examining the roll to be used on Polling day for Te Tai Hauauru at a PostShop or public library within the electorate, any Registrar of Electors office, or by accessing www.elections.org.nz

Mon 5 July Voter information packs. Voters receive personalised information packs, including information on candidates and polling places (and an EasyVote card if they were enrolled by 4 June).

Fri 2 to Fri 9 July Last days for enrolment. Voters enrolling after 4 June receive a voter information pack and letter to take to the polling place when casting a special declaration vote. Voters enrolling in the last few days will not receive this.

Sat 10 July Polling day. Polling places open 9am-7pm. Preliminary result by 11.30pm. Progressive results published on www.electionresults.govt.nz.

Sun 11 July Official count begins. All votes recounted and special declaration votes included.

Tue 20 July Last day for special votes to be received. Legal period of 10 days for special declaration votes to reach Returning Officer in New Plymouth.

Thu 22 July Official results declared. Results declared by Chief Electoral Officer by Gazette Notice. Published on www.electionresults.govt.nz and by media release.

Tue 27 July Application period for recount expires. Results returned to Parliament (return of writ) unless recount requested.

Fri 15 October Return of candidates' election expenses and donations. Last day for filing return. Candidates obtaining five percent or more of votes have their $300 deposit returned after they file their return.

ENDS

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