2011 GENERAL ELECTION AND REFERENDUM TIMETABLE

Wednesday 2 February

Prime Minister announces dates for 2011 general election and referendum

Monday 30 May

Launch of enrolment update campaign and voter referendum information campaign

Friday 26 August

Regulated period for election and referendum advertising expenses begins

Thursday 20 October      

Dissolution of Parliament

Tuesday 25 October

Last day for registration of parties/logos with the Electoral Commission

Wednesday 26 October

Writ Day

Governor General issues formal direction to the Electoral Commission to hold the election.

Electoral Rolls close for printing.

Voters enrolled after this date cast special declaration votes.

Candidate and party television and radio advertising may start.

Thursday 27 October

Nominations open

Advertising calling for individual nominations of electorate candidates.

Monday 31 October

Noon

Bulk Nominations

Deadline for registered political parties to bulk nominate their electorate candidates to the Electoral Commission.

Tuesday 1 November

Noon

Party Lists

Deadline for political parties to submit list candidates to the Electoral Commission.

Tuesday 1 November

Noon

Individual Nominations

Deadline for individual nominations of electorate candidates to Returning Officers.

Wednesday 2 November

2.00pm target

Candidate Information                             

Names of all electorate and list candidates released by Electoral Commission. Production of ballot papers begins.

Wednesday 2 November

2.00pm target                          

Polling Place and Advance Voting Place details available

Wednesday 9 November

Advance Voting starts in New Zealand

Advance voting available for voters who are away from home or unable to get to a polling place on Election Day.

Wednesday 9 November     

Overseas Voting starts

Overseas voters can download voting papers from www.elections.org.nz, vote by post or vote in person at  overseas posts in many countries. 

Saturday 19 November

EasyVote Information Packs available

Information packs with EasyVote card sent to voters enrolled by 19 November.

Friday 25 November

Enrolments Cease

Last day to enrol for the election.

Advance Voting ends

Friday 25 November

Midnight

Regulated period ends

All election and referendum advertising must end and signs must be taken down

Saturday 26 November

Election Day

Polling places open from 9.00am to 7.00pm.

Election Night

Preliminary results released progressively from 7.00pm on www.electionresults.govt.nz. Targets for release:

·         by 8.30pm  all advance vote results for general election and referendum

·         by 10.00pm           general election results from 50% of polling places

·         by 11.30pm           general election results from 100% of polling places.

Referendum voting papers will not be counted in polling places on election night to avoid delays to the release of the general election results.

Saturday 10 December

2.00pm target

Official results for general election and referendum declared

(including special declaration votes)

Wednesday 14 December

Deadline for applications for Judicial Recount

Wednesday 14 December

Deadline for Broadcaster Returns of Election Programmes to the Electoral Commission

Thursday 15 December

Return of Writ by Electoral Commission showing successful electorate candidates*

Thursday 15 December   

Declaration of Election of List Members*

Thursday 1 March 2012

Deadline for parties to submit broadcasting accounts to Electoral Commission

Friday 16 March 2012

Deadline for Returns of Party Election Expenses to the Electoral Commission*

Monday 26 March 2012

Deadline for Returns of Third Party Election Expenses to the Electoral Commission

Monday 26 March 2012

Deadline for Returns of Candidate Election Expenses and Donations to Electoral Commission

Monday 26 March 2012

Deadline for Returns of Referendum Expenses to the Electoral Commission