OK, the Americans had their fun the other day (and the Canadians last month, I believe), but today it’s New Zealand’s turn to vote for the government. All the information you could want or need is at elections.org.nz:
Polling places are open from 9.00am until 7.00pm. The busiest times are usually between 9.00am and 11.00am.
Our local polling place is only a few hundred metres away, in a neighbour’s garage, and we’ll be casting our vote this morning.
Results will start to come in some time after 7 pm. As the site above tells us:
The 2008 election results are available after polling places close at 7.00pm from www.electionresults.govt.nz.
The Chief Electoral Office targets are to have counted all advance votes by 8.30pm, 50 percent of polling places by 10.00pm and all polling places by 11.30pm.
Of course all the major TV and radio stations have their own coverage with stats and commentators and all the usual palaver.
We have two choices to make on the poll: one for a local member of Parliament to represent us, and the other for a party.
Just make sure you get out there, fellow Kiwis, and make your choices on the ballot paper.
