Referendum Information Programme Kicks Off
The information campaign features Orange Guy explaining the two questions in the referendum, and what will happen as a result.
“This week, every household in the country will receive a referendum brochure in their mailbox”, says Mr Peden. “It introduces the questions and what will happen as a result, gives information about each of the alternative systems, and tells people where they can get more information.”
“The Electoral Commission wants to help voters feel confident they are able to make an informed choice when they go to vote in the referendum,” says Mr Peden.
The referendum is happening at the same time as the General Election on Saturday 26 November.
Voters will be asked two questions on the purple referendum voting paper they will receive when they go to vote:
The first question asks whether they want to keep Mixed Member Proportional (MMP, which is the voting system we use at the moment) or change to another voting system.
The second question asks which of four other voting systems they would choose if New Zealand decides to change from MMP. The four alternative voting systems to choose from are called:
- First Past the Post (FPP);
- Preferential Voting (PV);
- Single Transferable Vote (STV); and
- Supplementary Member (SM).