[khhill]

I got a letter from the Electoral Enrolment Centre today informing me that they did a search of my name, address, and date of birth and noticed that I have not yet enrolled as an elector, and that it is illegal not to enrol if I am qualified. I can't figure out if I'm qualified or not. One section says that you must be citizen or have PR with at least 1 continous year residing in New Zealand. I have PR but have only lived here since February 2006. Another section says you need PR with at least 1 month at same address.

I'd love to vote but don't want to register illegally. Has anyone else received this letter, or enrolled to vote yet?

FYI: penalty for not enrolling is $100 first offense, $200 each further conviction.

Any advice/clarification greatly appreciated.

Kate

[Oregonkiwi]

My understanding is, you must have lived in NZ for 1 year to qualify. The "1 month" has to do with which electorate you are enrolling in, if you qualify, which I don't think you do.

http://www.elections.org.nz/enrolment/enrolling_detailed_faq.html

[Avalon]

Well, we are enrolled - and did it pretty much straight away (we got the forms i guess because we moved into a property and the previous tenant moved and changed here details).

We were also a bit confused as at the time we were under the impression that we had to be citizens in order to vote. Bit we phoned and checked - and we were supposed to register and we were allowed to vote.

In fact we did vote last year after being here about 9 months.

So yes - you can register - though it is a bit unclear.

[acisman]

Yes you have to have been living in New Zealand for 1 year before you qualify for the register. We arrived in April 2005 and some time last year we received forms to enrol. Unfortunately the forms do not give you an option to say you do not qualify. We therefore received 2 reminders that we had not enrolled and also that it was a legal requirement.

After a couple of phone calls to the appropriate department they finally got the message and we were politely told we would be able to register in 2006.


Pam & Dave

[katandbob]

well that was confusing to say the least..........it clearly says you have to have been there a year yet Avalon was able to do it at 9 mths......I am asuming you dont get thrown in Jail for enroling to early??

Kat

[jubjub]

We got about ten letters, we even wrote and told them we were not eligible yet, they get you to pre-register, and you get a letter once you have been resident for one year to confirm your details.

They are obviously keen for everyone to get their vote...

[Smiler]

Our forms were sent through automatically, I think because the landlord informs the Registrar of Electors. We had been here 3 months when the forms arrived and answered them as such. I know because I confused it with the census. :confused:

I've dug out the letter and it confirms my enrolment as an elector and says I am enrolled for the general electorate in our district.

It entitles me to vote in parliamentary elections and say that my details will be made available to Wellington City Council to include me on the roll for local elections.

:D

[Avalon]

well that was confusing to say the least..........it clearly says you have to have been there a year yet Avalon was able to do it at 9 mths......I am asuming you dont get thrown in Jail for enroling to early??

Kat
:D We are currently still at large.

Hmmm - how odd. It clearly does say on the website www.elections.org.nz that you have to have been here for 1 year. On the other hand, when we rang the elctoral roll to check if they really wanted us to sign up - the attitude was " you pay taxes - sign".

And yes- we did get voting papers.

Ooooooooh :confused:

[Avalon]

I've dug out the letter and it confirms my enrolment as an elector and says I am enrolled for the general electorate in our district.

It entitles me to vote in parliamentary elections and say that my details will be made available to Wellington City Council to include me on the roll for local elections.

:D
Thank god its not just us - I was beginning to think i was going daft :D And having visions of a dawn raid

[Smiler]

You've got no worries there, she is busy shopping. :D

[jubjub]

You've got no worries there, she is busy shopping. :D

:laugh :laugh , oooh you are a card.....