electionz.com, who are the largest election management organisation in New Zealand, have shared with us the following:

We are pleased to announce a new voting service available for eligible disabled voters. Following recent legislative changes, we can now offer a telephone dictation voting service to support those who may face barriers voting independently.

Who is eligible to use this service?
You may be eligible to use the telephone dictation service if you believe it is not possible or practicable for you to vote by casting an ordinary vote without hardship or undue inconvenience due to:

  • Being blind
  • Having a vision impairment that prevents you from marking your voting document without assistance
  • Having another physical disability that prevents you from marking your voting document without assistance

What is dictation voting and how does it work?
Dictation voting is a confidential and secure service that allows eligible voters to cast their vote by telephone. It is strictly limited to eligible disabled voters only.

Here’s how it works:

  • The voting service is available on weekdays between 9:00am to 4:30pm, from 9th September to 10th October, inclusive.
  • Eligible voters should contact our dedicated call centre on 0800 666 040 to request access.
  • Voters must be ready to vote before calling, to help ensure a smooth and efficient process.
  • Upon receiving a request, the Electoral Officer will assess eligibility:
    • If satisfied the criteria are met, the request will be approved.
    • If not, the request will be declined.

Once approved:

  • Voters will dictate their votes to the telephone dictation assistant.
  • The votes will be read back to the voter to confirm accuracy.
  • Once confirmed, the votes will be cast and cannot be changed.

Eligible voters may request access to the service now, but we recommend waiting until voting opens on 9th September, allowing the whole process to be completed with just one phone call.

As this is a new service, demand levels are uncertain. If call volumes are high, callers will have the option to leave a message requesting a call back.

Please note this service only applies to Councils who are clients of electionz.com. A full list of those Councils follows below. If your Council is not listed, unfortunately you will have to contact the Electoral Officer of that Council to make arrangements.

electionz.com is providing Dictation Services for the following councils:

Ashburton District Council
Buller District Council
Carterton District Council
Central Hawke’s District Council
Central Otago District Council
Christchurch City Council
Dunedin City Council
Gore District Council
Grey District Council
Hastings District Council
Horowhenua District Council
Hurunui District Council
Hutt City Council
Invercargill City Council
Kaikōura District Council
Mackenzie District Council
Manawatū District Council
Masterton District Council
Matamata-Piako District Council
Napier City Council
Nelson City Council
Ōtorohanga District Council
Porirua City Council
Queenstown Lakes District Council
Rangitīkei District Council
Rotorua Lakes Council
Ruapehu District Council
Selwyn District Council
South Waikato District Council
Southland District Council
Tararua District Council
Taupō District Council
Timaru District Council
Upper Hutt City Council
Waimakariri District Council
Waimate District Council
Waipa District Council
Waitaki District Council
Waitomo District Council
Wellington City Council
Western Bay of Plenty District Council
Westland District Council
Whanganui District Council