Democracy from a distance

A drive to register United States voters for the national election this year took place in Dunedin recently. US citizens Jade De La Paz and Eric Odell were among those who signed up.

The objective was to register people as absentee voters for the primary elections and presidential elections.

Otago Postgraduate Association executive committee member Jade De La Paz said the group organised the drive to take the hassle out of getting people to sign up for the elections.

"It’s so easy to be disconnected when you’re so far from home, so this is a way to get people engaged.

"It’s important to get registered to vote."

She said the group hoped to run the drive again in March.