Little: Cast your vote at the supermarket
This is the sort of conduct we expect from banana republics . . . National Party MP Nick Smith
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.
About 19,000 people’s votes weren’t counted in 2017 after they showed up without having enrolled on election day.
The overall voter turnout was 79.8 per cent — the highest turnout since 2005.
But National Party electoral law spokesman Nick Smith said the Government had ignored longstanding conventions about consulting the Opposition on electoral changes for its own benefit.
“This is the sort of conduct we expect from banana republics and not a respected long-standing democracy like New Zealand,” he said.
He said National had only learned of the changes yesterday and had not been given the details.
“These electoral law changes set a dangerous precedent and highlights the vulnerability of our democracy.”