About this Event
Contestants of 'It's in the Bag' become political candidates in 'It's in the Ballot' Meet the Candidates.
Candidates choose a numbered box which has a question that has been submitted online by voters before the show.
It’s in the Ballot” is a community-led awareness and participation initiative. We aim to increase voter interest in the general and council elections nationally.
By using broadcasting and web-based technologies to deliver in-studio; online on Facebook, YouTube and Twitch; and edited as YouTube videos we aim to enable voters to make informed voting decisions.
This means you can send the weblink of the YouTube Video of your electorate show to your friends and whanau to encourage them to watch the show before they cast their votes.
Enrolments cut off date is Sunday 25th October 2026
Enrol at - https://vote.nz/enrolling/enrol-or-update/enrol-or-update-online
Early voting starts Monday 26th October 2026
Election Day is Saturday 7th November 2026
Agenda
🕑: 06:30 PM - 06:50 PM
Audience and candidates arrive so they are seated by 7pm
🕑: 06:50 PM - 07:00 PM
Candidate briefing and pre-broadcast checks
Info: We check that the technology is working, including those candidates who are attending online.
🕑: 07:00 PM - 08:00 PM
First half of the show
Info: The ‘It's in the Ballot’ host will introduce the local host who joins us to present the questions in the boxes. Each candidate starts with an Opening Statement (1 minute) on why you should give them your electoral and party vote. The candidates choose a numbered box and speaks to the question (1 minute). Candidates are given the same number of questions. Candidates are sent the question sheet 24 hours before the show so they can prepare their responses.
🕑: 08:00 PM - 08:10 PM
Midshow break
🕑: 08:10 PM - 09:00 PM
Second half of the show
Info: Three Hard Hitting questions (1 minute) are answered by all candidates followed by a Closing Statement (1 minute).
🕑: 09:00 PM - 09:30 PM
After show 'meet and greet 'with candidates, hosts and production team
Info: We encourage all attendees to stay after the show to talk to the candidates in person. You may also like to take a photo with the candidates to use on social media to encourage your followers to watch the recorded show before they cast their postal votes from Tuesday 9th September 2025 and must be casted into voting drop box by 12pm Saturday 11th October 2025
Event venue & nearby stays
Square Edge Community Arts - Evelyn Rawlins Room Upstairs, 47 The Square, Palmerston North, New Zealand
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