This Government bill provides one set of provisions to govern the conduct of referendums held alongside the first or second general election after enactment. It is before Parliament.
A Government bill that sets one standard set of rules for running a nationwide referendum (a public vote on a set question) when it is held at the same time as a general election. It would apply to a referendum held alongside the first or second general election after the law takes effect. It covers how such a vote is conducted — voting places, who can vote, counting, and rules for referendum advertising — rather than deciding any particular question.
It provides a ready-made process so the Government could put a question to voters at an election without passing new machinery each time; officials have said it is modelled on the temporary law used for the 2020 End of Life Choice referendum. It has been linked to a possible future referendum on extending Parliament's term from three years to four. The bill is largely procedural.
See the Parliament.nz ↗ site for the full bill.