Young NZers swamp the numbers of people not enrolled to vote

New figures out today reveal that four out of every ten Kiwis not enrolled to vote are aged between 18 and 24 years.

The Electoral Enrolment Centre's latest statistics show that 104,191 people aged between 18 and 24 years who should be enrolled aren't.

That compares with a total of 250,921 eligible voters who aren't enrolled.

"Eligible voters aged under 25 make up 41.5% of those who haven't enrolled to vote," says Murray Wicks, National Manager of the Electoral Enrolment Centre.

"Young people in the Auckland Central electorate aren't heeding the call to enrol to vote. Only about a third of 18 to 24 year-olds eligible to vote in Auckland Central are enrolled," says Mr Wicks.

Auckland Central has the lowest youth enrolment rate of 35.33% of eligible 18 to 24 year olds enrolled to vote, followed by the Dunedin North electorate with 48% and the Palmerston North electorate with 54%.

The figures have been compiled after the preliminary electoral rolls closed for printing last Friday June 17.

"Our research shows us that we get the message out to young people that they need to enrol – it's just getting them to take the next step and fill in an enrolment form that can be difficult," says Mr Wicks.

The Electoral Enrolment Centre has introduced text messaging as a way of getting an enrolment form for the 2005 enrolment campaign.

"The option of getting an enrolment form by text message is just one of the ways we target young people," says Mr Wicks. "Others included targeted advertising, face-to-face enrolment activity at youth events and locations and working with groups in contact with young people."

Nationally 2,739,379 or 91.61% of eligible voters are enrolled to vote.

To enrol to vote people can freephone 0800 36 76 56 to get an enrolment form, Freetext their name and address to 3676, visit any PostShop or go online to http://www.elections.org.nz. People can check their enrolment details online as well.

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