MEDIA RELEASE

Electoral Enrolment Centre
Tuesday 14 October 2008

ONE IN FIVE YOUNG PEOPLE LEAVING OTHERS
TO MAKE ELECTION DECISIONS FOR THEM

One in five young people are leaving it up to their parents, grandparents or mates to decide about their future by failing to enrol to vote for the 8 November General Election.

New figures show that as at Writ Day, 8 October, when the electoral roll used in polling places on election day closed for printing, around 200,000 people still weren’t enrolled, with almost 89,000 of those aged between 18 and 24 years.

“We are getting more and more people enrolled as we get closer to election day – with 93.6 percent or 2.936 million enrolled and ready to vote,” says Murray Wicks, National Manager of the Electoral Enrolment Centre.

“But there are still 200,000 who haven’t taken action, with 89,000 or 22 percent of 18 to 24 year olds missing out on the ability to vote.

“By not enrolling or taking part they’re putting decisions about their and New Zealand’s future into the hands of others,” says Mr Wicks.

“It’s not too late to change that. Enrol today and you can have your say about how the country is run.”

As at Writ Day 8 October:
- 202,463 people were not enrolled
- 224,305 people were enrolled on the Maori roll
- 78.3 percent of 18-24 year olds were enrolled, compared with the best enrolled age group of 50- 59 year olds with 97.8 percent enrolled

People can get an enrolment form by Freetexting their name and address to 3676, going online to www.elections.org.nz, calling 0800 36 76 56 or picking one up from a PostShop. People can enrol or update their enrolment details at www.elections.org.nz as well.

ENDS

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