Registrar of electors for Dunedin North and Dunedin South electorates Dee Vickers said it was hard to estimate exactly how many were missing as some young people might have enrolled in their parents' electorates or gone overseas.
The numbers expected to enrol are based on the 2006 census figures and show that in Dunedin North, by September 11, little more than half of the estimated 16,950 population of those aged between 18 and 24 had enrolled.
Nationally, 75% in for this age group have enrolled.
In Dunedin South, young voter enrolments are higher, with 80% of the estimated eligible 18-24 population covered.
Waitaki electorate figures for this age group are above the census estimates with enrolments standing at 101.5%. Ms Vickers said her office had employed three new field workers to target young prospective voters in Dunedin North in order to boost their enrolments.
Of the electorates in the Otago Daily Times circulation area, Dunedin South, Invercargill and Waitaki have enrolment figures above the overall national rate which is 92%.
Dunedin North's total figure is about 81% of the estimated eligible population and Clutha-Southland is 88.7%.
In Clutha-Southland, enrolments were lowest for those in both the 18-24 and the 25-29 age ranges.
Ms Vickers said enrolment had never been easier and to make voting as easy as possible people had to enrol before the printed rolls closed on October 8.
The general election is on November 8. There were several options for enrolment.
People could send a free text message to 3676 seeking a form, go online to www.elections.org.nz, visit a post shop, or call 0800 367-656.
People already enrolled could also check and update their details online at the website.
Enrolments could be accepted up until the night before polling, but those who enrolled after October 8 would have to have a special vote.
Young people who had provisionally enrolled because they would turn 18 before the election would have their applications processed automatically, she said.
