New MMP proposals

The Electoral Commission has released its suggested changes to the MMP voting system and wants to hear what Kiwis thinks of its proposals. This is the second stage of the MMP Review, which was triggered by last year’s Referendum on the Voting System, in which the majority of voters chose to keep MMP. The Electoral Commission was required to carry out an independent review of MMP and report back to the Minister of Justice. The proposals suggested by the Electoral Commission include lowering the party vote threshold for allocation of list seats to 4 per cent, abolishing the one electorate seat threshold for allocation of list seats, and that candidates should continue to be allowed to stand both in an electorate and on a party list. Submissions can be made via post, email, or online at mmpreview.org.nz, and must be received by September 7. Submissions can also be made on the Proposals Paper itself. Public hearings will not be held. For information call 0800 367 656.