Email update from the Enrolment Operations Manager at the Electoral Commission

Dear TLO (name changed), I understand that you have been in contact with the Electoral Commission with concerns about the eligibility requirements for being enrolled on the New Zealand Electoral Rolls; most particularly that you believe it is unfair that as a result of those requirements you are not eligible to be enrolled. The Electoral Commission’s role is to administer the registration of electors in accordance with Part 5 of the Electoral Act 1993 enacted by Parliament. It is a matter for Parliament to decide who is eligible to enrol and vote in New Zealand elections. The Electoral Act allows New Zealand citizens who are overseas to remain eligible to enrol and vote provided they have been back to New Zealand within the last three years. Permanent residents of New Zealand must have been back to New Zealand within the last 12 months to be eligible to enrol and vote. Section 80 of the Electoral Act disqualifies persons who do not meet these requirements. If you are unhappy with the current legislation regarding eligibility to enrol, or require clarification about the policy rational for the disqualification of citizens who have not returned to New Zealand within the last three years, you should raise these matters with the Electoral and Constitutional Policy team at the Ministry of Justice or the Minister of Justice, who is responsible for the Electoral Act. Kind regards Ross McPherson | Enrolment Operations Manager | Electoral Commission | Te Kaitiaki Take Kōwhiri PO Box 3220 | Level 10, 34 – 42 Manners Street | Wellington | 6140 Phone +64 4 806 3550 | Mobile 027 202 9584 | Fax +64 4 495 0031 | http://www.elections.org.nz ______________________ I encourage you all to please continue to share this petition with all your whanau and friends. I'm almost certain none of you are aware that you cannot vote in the next election if you have lived outside of NZ for 3 years or more. It's unacceptable to be a citizen and have no right to vote for our next Government. Law changes take time, months, and several debates so please support me now push to Abolish Subsection 1A of Section 80 in the NZ Electoral Act 1993 and allow kiwis their basic birthright to vote for our government who work for us! Please sign and share! Tell everyone you know. Regards, TLO