Tuesday 10 August 2004

170,000 Voters Missing From Electoral Roll

-Rolls For Local Elections About To Close-

Almost 170,000 previously enrolled electors throughout the country have had their name removed from the electoral roll because they have moved and not updated their enrolment details.

In early July, all registered electors were sent a personalised update pack outlining their current enrolment details. Electors only needed to respond if their details needed updating.

Electoral Enrolment Centre National Manager Murray Wicks said that almost 48,000 previously enrolled electors' packs were returned marked 'Gone - no address' or undeliverable resulting in the electors being taken off the electoral roll.

"In total, almost 170,000 electors have been removed from the roll since the last general election because their details are out of date. This includes 45,000 identified Maori voters, which represent over 10 percent of identified Maori voters that are currently enrolled.

"Despite our best efforts, we are unable to locate these people, many of whom probably don't realise that they are no longer enrolled."

Mr Wicks said 253,000 eligible voters are now not enrolled, with 42 percent of these people being in the 18-24 years age group.

Mr Wicks said that people need to enrol or update their enrolment details by Friday 20 August to receive voting papers in the mail for the local council and district health board elections.

Enrolment forms are available from PostShops, public libraries and council offices, by calling 0800 ENROL NOW (0800 36 76 56), or from the elections website www.elections.org.nz. People can also check and update their enrolment details and enrol online.

"Enrolling is easy and only takes a couple of minutes to do. People who have queries or would like information in another language can call the 0800 number."

Mr Wicks also urges people that received an enrolment update pack but have not yet checked their details to do this now. "Remember that you only need to return the enclosed form if your details need updating. If you didn't receive a pack, fill in a new enrolment form or enrol online as soon as possible," Mr Wicks said.

ENDS

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