On this page you can find out how to receive your voting document in the post, what to do if you haven’t received your voting document and what voting system we use in Selwyn.

Voting packs

Voting in local elections is by postal vote. Voting packs will be sent out in the mail from Tuesday 9 September 2025 to all those who have enrolled by Friday 1 August. You should receive your voting pack by Monday 22 September 2025.  You can vote anytime from when you receive your voting pack until 12 noon on Saturday 11 October 2025.

Your voting pack will include a booklet with names, photos and information on the candidates, along with a short statement if they have provided one.

Note: Your voting pack will also include information and voting papers for candidates standing for Environment Canterbury elections. Visit Environment Canterbury for more information about elections and candidates.

Where to vote

Our interactive map shows the locations of ballot boxes around the district. Simply search for your address and you'll see the closest ballot box locations and their opening hours.

Pop-up dates and locations

Bring your completed voting papers to one of our pop-up locations.

  • Sat 27 Sept: Lincoln Market, 10am-1pm
  • Sun 28 Sept: Prebbleton Fresh Choice, 10am-1pm
  • Sat 4 Oct: Lincoln New World, 10am-1pm
  • Sat 4 Oct: Leeston Market, 9.30am-2.30pm
  • Sun 5 Oct: West Melton Market, 9am-1pm
  • Mon 6 Oct to 11am  Sat 11 Oct:  The Store at Tai Tapu
  • Mon 6 Oct:
    • Southbridge Hall, 10-11am
    • Dunsandel Community Centre,  11.30am-12.30pm
  • Wed 8 Oct:
    • Sheffield Memorial Hall , 11.30am-12.30pm
    • Tawera Memorial Hall, 1-1.45pm
  • Thu 9 Oct:
    • Lincoln University inside the Student and Visitor Centre, 9.30am-12.30pm

Special voting

You may need to cast a ‘special vote’ – for example if:

  • you didn’t receive your voting forms in your letterbox.
  • you lost or damaged your voting forms.
  • you enrolled after 1 August 2025.
  • you are on the unpublished (confidential) electoral roll.
  • your enrolled address is out of date, and you have been living at a new address for a month or more.
  • you will be travelling during the voting period (9 September to 12 noon on 11 October 2025.)

A special vote pack consists of:

  • a special voting document
  • a special voting declaration
  • two envelopes.

Although you can cast a special vote when you have not enrolled to vote, you will have to enrol by Friday 10 October 2025 for your vote to be valid.

How to cast a special vote

Casting a special vote is easy. Contact the Council by email: electoral.officer@selwyn.govt.nz or call 0800 SELWYN (0800 735 996), or call in to the Council offices or a Selwyn library and service centre during open hours.

You can cast your special vote in person where you collect your papers, post your voting papers in, or drop your voting papers in to the Council offices or any Selwyn library, or other Council locations.

Voting system

Selwyn District Council uses FPP (First Past the Post) electoral system. Under the FPP, the candidate with the most votes wins. You get one vote and that vote goes to one candidate.