Alternative voting processes to respond to polling disruption

1 This section applies if— a an unforeseen or unavoidable disruption occurs at 1 or more advance polling places that may reasonably be expected to continue until polling day; or b an unforeseen or unavoidable disruption occurs at 1 or more polling places on polling day. 2 The Chief Electoral Officer may manage an unforeseen or unavoidable disruption to which this section applies by using alternative voting processes if the Chief Electoral Officer considers that doing so is the most appropriate and efficient way to address the disruption. 3 The alternative voting processes referred to in subsection (2) may modify or adapt any requirements, processes, or procedures specified by or prescribed under this Act (for example, the Chief Electoral Officer may extend the polling hours, or extend to voters in New Zealand the procedure for the electronic issue of voting papers that is available to voters outside New Zealand). 4 Section 195B : inserted , on 11 March 2020 , by section 17 of the Electoral Amendment Act 2020 (2020 No 2). Section 195B(4) : repealed , on 20 December 2025 , by section 42 of the Electoral Amendment Act 2025 (2025 No 82).