Media Release

Monday 15 June 2009

Chief Electoral Office
Electoral Enrolment Centre
Ministry of Justice

2009 Citizens Initiated Referendum Launched

The official campaign has started to make it easy for people to take part in the Citizens Initiated Referendum on the question “Should a smack as part of good parental correction be a criminal offence in New Zealand?”.

The referendum runs from Friday 31 July until Friday 21 August, but to take part people need to be correctly enrolled.

“It’s important that people know now that a referendum is being held and how to take part,” says Robert Peden, Chief Electoral Officer. “This is the first Citizens Initiated Referendum to be held by postal vote, and only those correctly enrolled will receive their voting papers.”

From today (Monday June 15) every household will receive a notice in the mail from the Electoral Enrolment Centre encouraging people to check that they are enrolled to vote and that their details are up-to-date.

“We estimate around 36,000 people have become newly eligible to enrol since last year’s general election. In addition, there are many thousands of people who have moved house or flat and need to update their enrolment details,”says Murray Wicks, National Manager, Electoral Enrolment Centre.

“People needing to enrol or update their details should fill in an enrolment form. Enrolment forms are available from the elections website www.elections.org.nz, by Freetexting your name and address to 3676, from any PostShop or by calling Freephone 0800 36 76 56,” says Mr Wicks.

Voting opens on Friday 31 July and closes on Friday 21 August. Referendum voting papers will be sent to voters in the mail. People should post their voting papers back no later than Thursday 20 August to be sure they are returned on time.

Voters need to tick yes or no on the referendum voting paper in response to the referendum question, and return the voting paper in the envelope provided.

ENDS

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