Key facts
- New Zealanders must now be registered and have their addresses updated 13 days before election day to vote.
- The previous policy allowed enrollment on election day.
- The government enacted the change to speed up the vote count.
- Opposition parties argue the new deadline could disenfranchise tens of thousands of voters.
- The enrollment deadline is October 25 for the November 7 election.
- A campaign will focus on enrolling young voters, who are traditionally less likely to register early.
New Zealand's Electoral Commission has initiated a campaign to encourage citizens, both domestically and internationally, to register or update their voting details for the upcoming November election. This comes as a new law, enacted in December, mandates that voters must be enrolled and have their addresses updated at least 13 days before election day. Previously, New Zealanders aged 18 and older could enroll on election day itself. The deadline for enrollment is October 25, with voting commencing on October 26 in the country and October 21 for overseas voters who meet the deadline.
The government, led by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon of the National party, introduced this enrollment cut-off as part of broader electoral law changes, which also include a ban on prisoner voting and increased limits for anonymous political donations. Supporters of the deadline argue it is necessary to expedite the vote-counting process, which took three weeks after the last election due to on-the-day enrollments. Prime Minister Luxon stated that the previous system led to the longest vote count in the country's history.
However, opposition parties, including the Labour party led by Chris Hipkins, have strongly criticized the measure, labeling it as a move that could disenfranchise tens of thousands of New Zealanders. They contend that special votes, often cast by those abroad or not pre-registered, have historically favored left-wing parties. Hipkins has pledged to reverse the changes if his party wins the election.
The Electoral Commission estimates that approximately 700,000 special votes are still anticipated. Despite the new deadline, officials predict that the final election result will be determined within 20 days of voting concluding, a slight improvement from the previous 23-day count. Currently, 89% of eligible voters are enrolled, with enrollment being compulsory for residents and punishable by a fine for non-compliance. Up to one million New Zealanders live abroad, and eligible voters can cast ballots overseas by downloading, signing, and uploading ballot papers, or by voting in person at embassies. A specific campaign will target younger voters, who are more prone to late registration, utilizing social media, gaming, and streaming platforms.