The Electoral Act 1993 is an Act of the New Zealand Parliament for regulating elections in New Zealand.
Legislative framework It "establishes the electoral agencies, electoral system, election processes (including that for disputing results), how MPs are replaced between elections, registration processes for political parties and logos, enrolment and electoral roll requirements, and provides for the Māori Electoral option, and the Representation Commission." One such agency is the Electoral Commission which is responsible, among other things, for the administration of parliamentary elections and referendums.
The Electoral Act forms part of the constitution of New Zealand. The regulations made under the Act contain most of New Zealand's electoral legislation. The Act defined mixed-member proportional (MMP) representation for use in the 1993 electoral referendum, and it established MMP as the electoral system for the 1996 general election.
Amendments On 16 December 2025, the Sixth National Government passed Electoral Amendment Act 2025 amending the Electoral Act 1993 to end voter enrolment 13 days before the election, ban sentenced prisoners from voting, allow larger anonymous political donations, and ban food distribution near polling booths.
See also
Broadcasting Standards Authority 2005 New Zealand election funding controversy New Zealand Electoral Commission Constitution Act 1986 § Entrenchment
References
External links Electoral Act 1993, at New Zealand Legislation