Missing something in your mail box? Without it you’re not enrolled to vote
If you haven’t received an enrolment update pack by now you’re not enrolled to vote for this year’s General Election and Referendum on the voting system.
Enrolment update packs were sent this week to the 3 million New Zealanders who are enrolled to vote.
“Everyone who is correctly enrolled should have received an update pack in the mail by now,” says Murray Wicks, National Manager, Electoral Enrolment Centre. “This information ensures they can vote in the 2011 General Election and Referendum.”
Many people do not receive their packs because they’ve moved house and not updated their enrolment details.
”We do get situations where people have changed where they live but not given us their new address. If their pack gets returned to us then we have to remove these people off the electoral roll,” says Mr Wicks. “It’s especially important for Christchurch residents who have been displaced as a result of the recent earthquakes to let us know where they are currently staying. They can still be registered for their home address even if they’ll be staying somewhere else for a while, but we need them to either update or provide their mailing address.”
The Electoral Enrolment Centre, and its Registrars of Electors around the country, are making a plea to those who didn’t receive enrolment update packs to enrol.
“Enrolling to vote doesn’t happen automatically once you turn 18 or become eligible. You do need to fill in an enrolment form”, say the Registrars. “Now is the time to check whether you’re enrolled and your details are correct - it only takes a few minutes to check. Do it now and make it easier to vote on election day.”
Enrolling is easy. People can enrol or update their details online at www.elections.org.nz. Enrolment forms are also available by freetexting your name and address to 3676, calling 0800 ENROL NOW (0800 36 76 56) or at any PostShop.