Explanatory note
This note is not part of the regulations, but is intended to indicate their general effect.
To support the anticipated increase in the number of persons voting at this year’s general election as special voters due to the effects of COVID-19, and make the process easier for these voters, these regulations make changes to the requirements in the principal regulations.
The changes are to regulations 20, 25, 26, 27, and 37 of the principal regulations. Those provisions are temporarily suspended and replaced with new provisions that—
allow an application for a special vote to be made in any manner approved by the Electoral Commission (for example, by telephone):
remove for special voters in New Zealand who are not in a managed facility the requirement to have their declaration witnessed if they satisfy the Electoral Commission that in their circumstances it is an unreasonable requirement:
remove the ability of candidates to nominate persons who may witness special vote declarations:
provide that a special vote returned by post in an envelope that is not postmarked or date-stamped is valid if it is received by a Returning Officer or an Issuing Officer on or before polling day.
The new provisions apply only during the period 31 July 2020 to 16 October 2020. They are revoked on 16 October 2020, after the return of the writ for the general election, although they will continue to apply for the purpose of determining any petition or recount relating to the general election or referendums to be held on 19 September 2020.
These regulations are revoked on 16 October 2021.
Issued under the authority of the Legislation Act 2012.
Date of notification in Gazette: 30 July 2020.
These regulations are administered by the Ministry of Justice.