Making voting easier
Voting bins were introduced as part of efforts to make elections more accessible. Up until recently, most votes were sent through the post. But with street post boxes reducing in numbers each year and many people using the post system infrequently or not at all, a new option was needed to fill the gap. Enter the distinctive orange bins: simple, visible, and easy to use.
Stats that show the shift
The orange voting bins came into the picture for the first time in 2022, with Wellington City Council being one of the first councils to take part in the switch and with it came great success. Over 50 bins were rolled out in style all over Wellington City, and over half of all votes were returned through the bins. They were used again in 2024 for the Pukehīnau/Lambton by-election, where over 85% of votes were returned via the orange voting bins.
Vote by bin
Ready for your own close encounter with one of these famous orange bins? Well, the process is straightforward. Check your mailbox for your voting papers between 9 – 22 September, fill them out and then drop them in an orange voting bin at your local supermarket, library, or any one of over 50 locations across Wellington. Make sure you vote by 12 noon on Saturday, 11 October.
Vote by post
You can of course still vote by popping your completed papers in the post. If you are using a NZ Post or DX Mail post box, it is recommended you post your vote by Tuesday 7 October to ensure it is received before voting closes.