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Polling booths in supermarkets, malls for 2020 general election

Author
NZ Herald,
Publish Date
Thu, 20 Jun 2019, 12:52PM
Photo / NZ Herald
Photo / NZ Herald

Polling booths in supermarkets, malls for 2020 general election

Author
NZ Herald,
Publish Date
Thu, 20 Jun 2019, 12:52PM

Kiwis will be able to vote at next year's general election while doing their weekly food shop.

Justice Minister Andrew Little has announced that ballot boxes will be in more venues at the 2020 election - including supermarkets and shopping malls.

"New Zealanders deserve to have their votes counted. Nearly half of voters are now exercising their right to vote prior to election day," Little said.

"Those early voters are able to both enrol and vote at the ballot box. It's only fair that people who vote on election day have the same right to enrol as those casting an early vote.

"The Election Commission have recommended a number of small changes to make it easier for people to enrol and vote. The Coalition Government has agreed to those recommendations.

"Putting ballot boxes in supermarkets and malls will make it easier for people to vote. It's important that ballot boxes are placed where people are going about their normal business and can therefore accommodate voting more easily into their busy lives."

Other changes include introducing same-day enrolment for voters and moves to make it easier to vote from overseas.

The overall voter turnout for the 2017 election was 79.8 per cent - the highest turnout since 2005.

 

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