Electorate 'among the best'

Dunedin registrar of electors Dee Vickers says it is not too late to enrol to vote in the...
Dunedin registrar of electors Dee Vickers says it is not too late to enrol to vote in the upcoming local body elections.Photo: Brenda Harwood

Dunedin South electorate residents are ahead of the curve when it comes to enrolling to vote.

With 96% of eligible residents successfully on the electoral roll, including an impressive 82.5% of 18-to-24-year-olds and 89% of 25-to-29-year-olds, the area is among the best in the country, Dunedin registrar of electors Dee Vickers says.

``I'm very pleased with the response from South Dunedin to the call for enrolments - it is great to see them standing up this way,'' Ms Vickers said.

``They are brilliant.''

The high levels of enrolments in the Dunedin South electorate could be because of its settled population, which included a significant cohort of older people. In the over 40 age groups, enrolments ranged from about 97% to 100%, she said.

The figures were ``not an exact science'', as the percentages were based on census figures, she said.

Enrolments in the Dunedin North electorate were significantly lower, particularly in the 18-to-24-year-old group, which stood at only 48.62%. The proportion of 25-to-29-year-olds enrolled was 85%, with the remaining age groups ranging from 92% to 98%.

Ms Vickers was disappointed with enrolments among 18-to-24-year-olds in North Dunedin, describing it as ``a very sad-looking result'', particularly in light of the work the Otago University Students Association had put into getting students enrolled.

``They have worked hard to build up the enrolments this year, and this does not reflect the effort that has gone into it,'' she said.

During the update period the OUSA had signed up 762 students, with the efforts of Registrar of Electors field officer Kay Patrick bringing new enrolments in the area up to more than 1000.

``Of course, we need to take into account that a lot of those people will still be enrolled at mum and dad's place, so it can be hard to quantify the exact situation,'' Ms Vickers said.

The lack of engagement from some young people people in the electoral process showed a ``disconnect'' in their understanding of the role of local government.

``It's telling me that there is still a lot of apathy and people are not getting the message of how important local bodies are in our everyday lives - from walking the dog to transport and alcohol licensing.''

It is compulsory under New Zealand law to be on the electoral roll and, although enrolments closed on August 12, it was still possible to sign up to do a special vote ahead of local body elections ``polling day'' on October 8. People could enrol up to midnight on October 7.

``If you weren't enrolled by August 12, you won't get voting papers in the mail, and you will have to cast a special vote at the Civic Centre,'' Ms Vickers said.

A booth for casting special votes will open at the same time as voting papers are sent out on September 16.

``No-one is denied a vote.''

- Brenda Harwood

Comments

When you have a candidate that does actually represent the interests of students, young people's access to health services, anti discrimination and a better deal for the Working Class, it is silly not to enrol. What? You work out who that might be.

 

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