# Three-week vote count no barrier to negotiations

> Experts say political negotiations can start now despite three-week vote count delay.
- Title: Three-week vote count no barrier to negotiations · RNZ
- Summary: Experts say political negotiations can start now despite three-week vote count delay.
- Keywords: electoral commission, vote count, special votes, political negotiations, governing party, new zealand first, act party, opportunity party, māori party, united future, john key, constitutional law
- Source: RNZ — https://rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/2567882/three-week-vote-count-no-barrier-to-negotiations-expert
- Author: RNZ | Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa
- Published: 2026-11-12T18:49:47+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: electoral commission, vote count, special votes, political negotiations, governing party, new zealand first, act party, opportunity party, māori party, united future, john key, constitutional law
## Final vote count timeline
The Electoral Commission requires 20 days to ensure the final vote count is accurate and complete.
## Accuracy over special votes
Most delays come from combining rolls from 2700 voting places to prevent duplicate names.
## Special votes process
Special votes are counted last to avoid bias from scrutineers objecting to votes.
## Constitutional law expert
Graeme Edgeler says political negotiations can start now despite the three-week count delay.
## Historic government formation
John Key formed a government with four parties before the final count in 2008.
## Political negotiation groups
National, ACT, New Zealand First, and Opportunity could form a government before the final count.
## Future voting changes
Electronic roll mark-off systems will reduce duplicate voting and special votes.
## Enrolment updates
Automatic enrolment updates will reduce special votes from people who moved but forgot to update.
## Key takeaway

Constitutional law expert Graeme Edgeler says politicians can begin forming a government before the final vote count is complete.