Most enrolled east Auckland voters should have received their EasyVote packs in the mail by the end of this week, according to the Electoral Commission.
The commission is reminding people they can vote in this year’s general election, scheduled for Saturday, October 14, with or without their EasyVote card.
Chief Electoral Officer Karl Le Quesne says more than 3.4 million EasyVote packs are being sent to voters with about two million already delivered.
The remaining packs are expected to be delivered in the coming days.
“You can vote with or without your EasyVote card – voting is easy and only takes about five minutes,” Le Quesne says.
Producing 3.4 million EasyVote packs is a large operation that can only start after candidate nominations close on September 15.
While most are being delivered on schedule, a production issue has meant delays to packs in the Epsom, Mount Albert and Papakura electorates.
“As seen in previous elections, it’s not unusual for EasyVote packs to arrive after voting starts,” Le Quesne says.
“Most people will have already received their packs in the mail and those that haven’t arrived are scheduled to be delivered soon.
“There was a possibility the wrong voting place list may have been included in a small number of packs for the Epsom, Mount Albert and Papakura electorates.
“The packs have been reprinted to ensure voters have the correct information, and will be delivered as soon as possible.”
Delivery of packs to voters in those three electorates will start on October 6 and is expected to be completed by October 11-12.
People who were enrolled at their current address by September 10 will be sent an EasyVote pack.
It includes information on how to vote, who the candidates are, and where to vote.
Also included is an EasyVote card people can take to the voting place to help staff easily find each voter’s name on the electoral roll.
“You don’t need to wait for your EasyVote card to vote,” Le Quesne says.
“If you haven’t got your card, staff at the voting place will ask for your name and address and look you up on the electoral roll to make sure you receive the correct voting papers.”
Voting place locations and candidate information is also available online on www.vote.nz.
