The Whys and Hows of Voting in the 2020 New Zealand General Election [Lochie Bain]

Why should you vote?

Listen here young buck, I know you're busy with your assignments, part time jobs and your, lets call them “laid back” Sundays. BUT do I have a job for you.

I know you say that you’re not into politics when in reality you can’t get enough of Judith Collins or you low-key put pictures of Aunty Cinda up on your wall. My Job is simple, but are you up to the task? I want you to vote in the New Zealand General Election.

Now why on earth should you vote? Let's be honest you’ve thought that you're the best thing since sliced bread, so why is your vote any different? It is not just a vote, it's your opinion, values and character. I also want you to earn the right to complain. If you don’t vote you cannot complain when flying cars are not invented in the next four years.

Make sure you get along and vote on the 19th of September!

How do you enrol to vote?

In order to vote in the election, you must be enrolled to vote.

While this can be done on the day at voting stations, in to minimise time at the voting station it is easier to enrol before election day (19th September). Luckily for you, enrolling to vote is much easier than enrolling in your University papers! Simply visit www.vote.nz and click on the enrol tab. From there, you will be asked to provide details from one of three forms of ID:

1. Drivers Licence 2. New Zealand Passport 3. RealMe verified identity (what you use for Studylink login)

From here it is an easy road to complete your enrolment, with questions such as your name and date of birth (difficult I know). The hardest part of this process is choosing your address, as this will determine the electorate you will vote in. There are 71 electorates in New Zealand, so it is likely your home address may be different from the address you use at University. The enrolment form says to “Use the address you consider to be your home”, so it is up to you if this is your home or university address.

Overall, enrolment is an easy process, and will take no longer than 5 minutes of your precious time. Instead of scrolling Facebook next lecture, visit www.vote.nz to enrol and have your say this election!