New Zealanders abroad urged to enroll for the election as new law locks out last-minute voters
Summary
New Zealand has introduced a new law requiring voters to register at least 13 days before election day. This means people, including those abroad, cannot enroll to vote on election day itself and must meet the deadline to be allowed to vote.Key Facts
- New voters must register by October 25 for the November 7 election.
- Voters can start casting ballots from October 26 in New Zealand and from October 21 if they are overseas.
- The law change ends the previous option to enroll and vote on the same day.
- The government says the change helps speed up election results, which previously took up to three weeks.
- The law also bans prisoners from voting and allows bigger anonymous political donations.
- Opposition parties criticize the law, saying it may prevent many people from voting and hurt left-wing parties.
- The Electoral Commission expects about 700,000 special votes this election, slightly fewer than before.
- So far, 89% of eligible voters in New Zealand are enrolled to vote this year.
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