Hey, where did the election go?

Photo / file

Publishing anything on election day that could potentially influence another voter is strictly prohibited in New Zealand until voting has closed.

The same rules apply to social media users, and the Electoral Commission reminded users that encouraging others to vote was okay, as long as no mention of candidates or parties were made.

However, later tonight we will be reporting the results as they come in with live graphics and a team of political journalists who will offer analysis and comment.

The New Zealand Herald's interactive application will be displaying live results from each electorate and voting station.

Readers can search all 71 electorates - both general and Maori - and zoom in to see how the country voted.

As well as live election results, each page has an electorate "profile" showing the income and ethnicity breakdown for each seat in the country.

Wild weather day for voters

Voters will need umbrellas as they make their way to polls across the country today.

The 2014 General Election is underway and the Electoral Commission predicts results from advance voters will be released around 8:30pm, an hour and a half after polls have been closed.

MetService has issued a severe weather warning for parts of the North Island as heavy rain and strong winds move in.

Meteorologist Frances Russell said a deep low was bringing wet and stormy weather to the North Island.

"An associated band of heavy rain, and some thunderstorms on the back of it, is currently crossing the North Island at the moment."

Auckland was in the midst of the stormy weather, she said, and Coromandel and Rotorua would be feeling the sting of it later this morning.

The heavy rain in Auckland and Northland would turn to occasional showers by this afternoon.

Ms Russell said MetService was warning of potentially damaging northwest gales for the lower North Island.

Manawatu, Kapiti and Wairarapa could be in for gales up to 120 km/h from now through till early this afternoon.

The Tararua Ranges was in for heavy rain, Ms Russell said, and more snow is expected on Lewis Pass, Arthur's Pass, Porters Pass and Lindis Pass this afternoon or this evening.

The western parts of the South Island could be in for heavy showers, however Christchurch and Dunedin were expected to be fine this morning, Ms Russell said.

Voters can find where to vote by visiting the Electoral Commission website and entering their electorate.

If they aren't within their electorate today, voters can cast a special vote from outside their electorate today.

EasyVote cards have been mailed to voters from the Electoral Commission. Voters can take their cards along with them to voting stations to speed up the voting process.

An officer at the voting station will hand ballot papers to each voters, who will go to private booths to cast their vote for the political party of their choice and the candidate they would like to represent their electorate.

Voting closes at 7pm.