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Voters can go to the polls starting today, as 450 early voting slots open for the election and referenda.
Early voting accounted for 47 percent of all votes in 2017, and the Election Commission says that figure could reach 60 percent this time.
The national manager of voting services, Graeme Astle, says the commission is encouraging people to cast their votes early to minimize queues on Election Day and decrease the risk of Covid-19.
“I think people have realized that there is no need to wait until Election Day and what we have tried to do is make it as accessible and easy as possible for people to go out and vote and vote earlier, voting locally, minimized queues are all sorts of key things to look forward to this time. “
Elections Director Alicia Wright says the elections are being conducted as if the country were at Alert Level 2, so physical distancing and single-use pens will be mandatory at polling stations.
A hand sanitizer will also be available.
Meanwhile, 400,000 eligible voters have yet to register for the election in two weeks, but the Election Commission says there is still time.
Two thousand six hundred polling stations will be open on Election Day.
To find the nearest polling station, click here.
rnz.co.nz
