Voter enrolment deadline approaches with 350,000 New Zealanders still not signed up

Voters must enrol by midnight on Sunday, 25 October, to ensure their party and electorate votes count for the upcoming election on 7 November. This follows a rule change by the coalition Government requiring enrolment before voting begins, whereas in 2020 and 2023, people could enrol up to and on election day. Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith stated these changes aim to reduce the number of special votes and the time required for counting.

As of 21 October, 92.1 per cent of eligible voters were enrolled, which is below the 94.7 per cent recorded during the 2023 election. While the enrolment percentage is lower, the total number of enrolled people has reached 3,729,667, surpassing the final number of voters from the previous election due to a larger population. The Electoral Commission has set a target to reach the 94.7 per cent level achieved in 2023.

Young people remain the least enrolled demographic, with only 68.6 per cent of those aged 18 to 24 signed up. Reasons cited for low youth engagement include political disillusionment, apathy, and a lack of resources to understand political impacts. To encourage sign-ups, the Electoral Commission is deploying teams to locations such as shopping malls, libraries, and hospitals.

The Commission is also working with social media influencers and increasing advertising in areas with low youth enrolment. Chief electoral officer Karl Le Quesne said the commission is increasing efforts to reach the deadline. Staff will be working through the weekend to process applications, including those arriving by post on Tuesday, 27 October.

How it developed

• Thu 22 Oct, 5:22pmThe report notes that the Electoral Commission will process enrolment forms arriving in the post on Tuesday, 27 October.

Where reports differ

• One report states 91.2 per cent of eligible voters were enrolled as of Thursday, while another reports the figure was 92.1 per cent.

Compiled from reports by RNZ, Otago Daily Times and The Post.