MEDIA RELEASE

Tuesday 30 June 2009

Electoral Enrolment Centre

25,000 People Take Action To Take Part In Referendum

More than 25,000 people have responded to the call to get enrolled or update their enrolment details to take part in the upcoming referendum - but there are still many more who need to take action today.

In the two weeks since the official campaign started to raise awareness of the referendum on the question “Should a smack as part of good parental correction be a criminal offence in New Zealand?” at least 25,000 people have updated their enrolment details or enrolled for the first time.

“We’re recording an average of over 2,000 people a day taking action by enrolling or updating their details to get ready to vote in the referendum,” says Murray Wicks, National Manager, Electoral Enrolment Centre.

“Agree or disagree with the question, or just don’t know? One thing that is constant for everyone as the debate unfolds is this - you’ve got no chance of taking part in the referendum unless you’re correctly enrolled to vote,” he says.

So far:
• 9,655 people have sent a text message to request an enrolment form
• 10,065 have gone online at www.elections.org.nz to update their details or get an enrolment form
• 1,920 have called Freephone 0800 36 76 56 to update their details or enrol.

“There are still an estimated 193,000 people not enrolled to vote, and many others whose details are not up-to-date. Enrol or update your details now and your voting papers will be sent to you in the mail,” says Mr Wicks.

• Friday 10 July is the deadline to update enrolment details, and get voting papers sent out correctly.
• Thursday 30 July is the last chance to enrol for the referendum.

“Enrolment forms are available from the elections website www.electionsorg.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.

ENDS

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