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Electoral Commission Campaign Looks to Educate Voters After Enrolment Changes
Officials say 440,000 voters remain unenrolled as the commission targets young people and overseas New Zealanders before the new cutoff.
The Electoral Commission launched a campaign Monday urging New Zealanders to register before the Oct. 25 deadline, as voters must now be enrolled 13 days before the Nov. 7 election or be turned away from polling places.
Governing parties enacted these measures in December to reduce the time required to reach a final result; officials predicted the new deadline would shorten the counting process to 20 days, compared to 23 days without the cut-off.
Simon Moore, the commission's chair, noted 440,000 New Zealanders remain unenrolled, including 200,000 aged 18 to 25, prompting a campaign using social media and gaming ads to reach young people.
Detractors, including the Labour party, argue the measures disenfranchise voters by curbing 'special votes' cast by those away from home; Labour leader Chris Hipkins pledged in July to reverse these changes if he becomes prime minister.
Enrollment is compulsory in New Zealand, with failure punishable by a 100 New Zealand dollar fine; Karl Le Quesne, the chief electoral officer, noted citizens can vote from overseas by using embassies or downloading ballot papers online.