Who can cast a special vote
Sometimes you might need to cast a special vote. You will need to do this if:
- you didn’t receive your voting forms in your letterbox after 22 September 2025
- you lost or damaged your voting forms
- you enrolled or updated your address after 1 August 2025
- you are on the unpublished (confidential) electoral roll
- your enrolled address is out of date, and you have been living at a new address for a month or more.
Special voting locations
Te Awe Library election hub
You can cast a special vote at the election hub at Te Awe Library, 29 Brandon Street, Wellington during the voting period 9 September – 12 noon, 11 October 2025. Hub opening hours:
- 9.30am–5.30pm, Monday–Friday
- 9.30am–5pm, Saturday 4 October 2025
- 9.30am–12 noon, Saturday 11 October 2025.
Other locations during the final week of voting
Special voting hubs will also be open at the following libraries from 10am to 5.30pm from Monday 6 October until voting closes at 12 noon, Saturday 11 October 2025.
- Johnsonville Library | Waitohi
- Karori Library | Te Māhanga
- Newtown Library | Ngā Puna Waiora
- Ruth Gotlieb (Kilbirnie) Library | Te Awa-a-Taia
How to request a special vote
If you can't make it to a special voting location, we can send your special vote papers to you. To request your papers in the post:
Email election@wcc.govt.nz for help.
Please ensure you make your request early in the voting period, so you have enough time to return your vote to the Electoral Officer by noon, 11 October 2025.
Special voting process
Casting a special vote is easy. It takes less than 5 minutes to issue a special voting pack, and you can vote on site or take it away to vote later.
A special vote pack includes:
- A special voting form
- A special voting declaration
- Two envelopes
The packs are available during the voting period from 9 September to noon, 11 October 2025.
Voting from overseas
If you’re living overseas, you can update your enrolment details prior to 1 August 2025.
How to enrol
If you will be temporarily overseas during the voting period, we can assist with getting your vote sent to you. Email election@wcc.govt.nz for help.