Clark due in new job on 20 April
Helen Clark has been confirmed by the UN General Assembly and is due to start on 20 April.
Now she may not manage that, but when could a by-election be if she does leave on 20 April?
- Clark will resign under s55(1)(f) of the Electoral Act – Mon 20 Apr
- Vacancy published in Gazette – Tue 21 Apr
- GG must issue writ within 21days of Gazette – so from 22 Apr to 12 May.
- Nominations normally close 6 days after the writ – from 28 Apr to 18 May
- Polling Day could be any Saturday from 25 May to 13 June (20 to 27 days after noms close)
- The writ must be returned within 50 days so that is by 11 Jun to 1 July
Graeme E will no doubt correct me, if the dates are wrong!
I doubt they want a by-election in May when the budget has just been passed, and likewise not over a long (QB) weekend, so I would pick 13 June at this stage.