# Nurses Union Questions Middlemore Hospital Voting Booth

> Nurses demand explanation for Middlemore Hospital's lack of on-site voting booth ahead of 2026 election.
- Title: Nurses Union Questions Middlemore Hospital Voting Booth
- Summary: Nurses demand explanation for Middlemore Hospital's lack of on-site voting booth ahead of 2026 election.
- Keywords: new zealand nurses organisation, middlemore hospital, electoral commission, voting booth, auckland city hospital, north shore hospital, waitākere hospital, de la salle college, 2026 election, polling station, mobile voting service, whānau
- Source: NZ Herald — https://nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/election-2026-nurses-union-asks-why-middlemore-hospital-has-no-on-site-voting-booth/GMFZDINISNECTPVTI7NPPBCL6M
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: new zealand nurses organisation, middlemore hospital, electoral commission, voting booth, auckland city hospital, north shore hospital, waitākere hospital, de la salle college, 2026 election, polling station, mobile voting service, whānau
## Nurses Union Concern
New Zealand Nurses' Organisation wants Electoral Commission to explain why Middlemore Hospital lacks on-site voting booth.
## Nearest Polling Station
Nearest polling station to Middlemore is at De La Salle College, 450m from hospital entrance.
## Other Hospitals Have Booths
Auckland City, North Shore and Waitākere hospitals have polling booths on-site.
## ASMS and NZRDA Response
Association of Salaried Medical Specialists said no concerns raised; New Zealand Resident Doctors' Association didn't respond.
## Nurse Concerns
Nurses worry patients may spend days or weeks at hospital without accessible voting option.
## Beks Kelsey's Statement
Beks Kelsey noted Auckland City Hospital has daily voting booth open for 12 hours with extended hours on election day.
## Voting Access Issues
Patients need to know where to vote while in hospital; staff question why no on-site booth exists.
## Electoral Commission Response
Electoral Commission works with hospitals to arrange voting services based on space and safety.
## Current Voting Service
Mobile voting service available today for patients; special takeaway votes for those in hospital over four days.
## Limited Service Concerns
Mobile service only available 12:30pm-7pm Thursday; staff worried it doesn't match physical booth flexibility.
## Electoral Commission Decision
Commission didn't explain why Middlemore Hospital lacks on-site voting booth despite other hospitals having them.
## Nurse Plan
Most nurses plan to vote on their rostered days off due to lack of accessible voting option.
## Key Question
Why does Middlemore Hospital lack on-site voting booth when other Auckland hospitals have them?
## Electoral Commission Timeline
Electoral Commission working with hospital to identify patients in hospital over four days for special voting.
## Voting Service Limitations
Mobile service doesn't cover staff and whānau; limited flexibility compared to physical polling booth.
## Next Steps
Nurses seek explanation for lack of on-site voting booth ahead of 2026 election.
## Key takeaway

New Zealand Nurses' Organisation asks Electoral Commission why Middlemore Hospital has no polling booth despite other Auckland hospitals having them.