Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has announced a major overhaul of New Zealand’s electoral laws, citing strain on the voting system caused by same-day enrolments.
Under the changes, voters must enrol or update their details by midnight the Sunday before advance voting begins, replacing the current system that allows late enrolments.
Goldsmith says the move is essential to prevent delays in finalising election results, which have already stretched beyond the statutory 20-day timeframe.
Key changes include:
- Closing enrolment 13 days before election day to reduce pressure on post-election timeframes.
- Requiring 12 days of advance voting at each election.
- Introducing automatic enrolment updates so the Electoral Commission can update people’s enrolment details using data from other government agencies.
- Enabling greater use of digital communication by removing postal requirements for enrolment.
- Creating a new offence that prohibits the provision of free food, drink or entertainment within 100 metres of a voting place while voting is taking place. It will be punishable by a fine of up to $10,000.
- Reinstating a total ban on prisoner voting.
The Bill makes a wide range of other changes including:
- Enabling special vote processing to begin earlier.
- Increasing the Electoral Commission’s board from three to up to seven members.
- Setting a single deadline for all candidate nominations.
- Changing party registration requirements and timeframes.
- Providing flexibility on the contact details that can be included in promoter statements.
The Government is progressing a separate bill to amend the Constitution Act 1986 to ensure the continuity of executive government in the post-election period.
Image credit: Arnaud Jaegers
You can still vote without showing any ID..,..
And its still rigged
And stop potential voters from having their say – what a load of bs