MEDIA RELEASE

Wednesday 29 October 2008
Chief Electoral Office
Ministry of Justice

Easyvote Cards And Packs In Voters' Hands From Tomorrow

A major election mailout of 2.9 million EasyVote cards and information packs gets underway tomorrow (Thursday 30 October), as the Chief Electoral Office moves to make voting in the 2008 election as easy as possible.

The EasyVote information pack is the official election communication from the Chief Electoral Officer to every enrolled voter.

"In the EasyVote information pack is a personalised EasyVote card for the voter to take with them when they vote," says Robert Peden, Chief Electoral Officer.

"The EasyVote card has their name and address, their electorate and where they are on the electoral roll. This makes it quick and easy for the voter to be issued with a ballot paper."

The EasyVote information pack also includes key information about where to vote, the lists of parties, the candidates for the electorate and information on MMP.

"We urge voters to take their EasyVote card with them if they vote in advance or on election day," says Mr Peden.

People can vote without their EasyVote card but it will take longer.

Anyone enrolled after 8 October will receive an EasyVote information pack, which includes a letter (but no card) to take when they vote.

"Check your EasyVote pack to find the nearest polling or advance voting place to where you live and vote close to home," says Mr Peden.

"The next week or so is a busy time in the election period as more and more voters turn their minds to the election. We know the EasyVote information packs are a timely and useful resource to make the voting experience easy.

"People can't enrol on election day, so anyone still to enrol should do it by Friday
7 November," says Mr Peden.

Getting an enrolment form is easy. Either Freetext your name and address to 3676 or, go online to www.elections.org.nz, or go to any PostShop, or call Freephone 0800 36 76 56.

ENDS

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