Extend advance voting

Written By: - Date published: 9:15 am, August 17th, 2020 - 11 comments
Categories: election 2020, elections, jacinda ardern, Politics - Tags:

At 10am Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern will announce her decision on the election date. This will be done in the light about what is currently known about the current covid-19 outbreak. That is her decision alone and is constrained by the parliamentary electoral limits that Mai Chen has reviewed in her article “Legal advice to the PM on moving the election“.

I’d only add that we should plan on having a longer period of advance voting built into all future elections.

Advance voting has been increasing massively over the past elections. As the graphic from the electoral commission shows for 2011, 2014, and 2017. The total valid party vote in 2017 was only 2,591,896, the total valid advance votes were 1,023,059. This election, even without Covid-19, I’d expect that valid advance voting would be well over half of the valid votes.

As you can see in the chart showing the cumulative advance voting, this current lasts for about 2 weeks and is putting pressure on the advance voting places – especially in the last days. For the convenience of voters who don’t want to stand in line in masks – extend the period of advance voting from 2 weeks to something longer, 3 or 4 weeks.

11 comments on “Extend advance voting ”

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  1. SPC 1
    17 August 2020 at 9:51 am

    A longer period of early voting would certainly help hold an election at level 2.

    Fortunately for us we have so many polling places that mine is closer than the nearest mail box and that's common for most I suspect.

    The opposition might quibble as they want a delay to change polling intention before anyone can vote – thus their November play.

  2. Barfly 2
    17 August 2020 at 10:03 am

    " extend the period of advance voting from 2 weeks to something longer, 3 or 4 weeks."

    Does the government have the power to do this or does it require legislation in parliament?

    • SPC 2.1
      17 August 2020 at 10:10 am

      It's sort of moot now, the election has been delayed a month as have all other days.

      So its not something parliament will need to look at when it resumes.

    • lprent 2.2
      17 August 2020 at 1:57 pm

      Actually I have no idea. I'll have a peek at the electoral act when I lift my eyes from code again.

  3. Ad 3
    17 August 2020 at 10:31 am

    The Prime Minister agrees generally with you.

    "This short delay gives the Commission more time to prepare including freeing up facilities for early voting during school holidays,” Prime Minister Ardern said.

    https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA2008/S00132/election-to-be-held-on-17-october.htm

    I'm ready to vote now.

    Most people have long since made up their minds; the parties are largely just voting for the remaining Undecideds.

  4. Treetop 4
    17 August 2020 at 11:13 am

    Advance voting does give a choice on when to vote. Another week would give a buffer.

    There has not been much on registering to vote. This needs to be ramped up as this election cycle is making registering to vote harder.

    How easy is it to register to vote?

    • Sabine 4.1
      17 August 2020 at 11:39 am

      We receved by mail the voting papers two weeks ago i think, and you only have to send it back if information has changed. So fairly easy i would say if you have a steady address, a computer or access to a computer.

      • Treetop 4.1.1
        17 August 2020 at 3:22 pm

        I recieved confirmation of being on the roll but no voting papers other than 2 pamphlets on the referendums. It is the first time voters who need to go online. This group also could be more affected in the job market. As well I think a special vote if you have not been in the electorate for 3 months.

        • Sabine 4.1.1.1
          19 August 2020 at 12:39 pm

          not voting papers, sorry, but yes the information about being on the roll and the referendums.

          The worst are the tranisent renters that go from one crap rental to the next every 6 odd month either because they can't afford to pay the rent or the rent has gone up or the house is up for sale. And yes, transient semi transient renters are affected by the lack of jobs and thus are on starvation benefits and thus move from one cheap shitty hovel to then next.

    • lprent 4.2
      17 August 2020 at 2:01 pm

      Registration is extremely easy. Just register on the website or look up how to do elsewhere. They will send you the required paperwork via mail.

      https://vote.nz/enrolling/enrol-or-update/enrol-or-update-online

      • Treetop 4.2.1
        17 August 2020 at 3:33 pm

        I would like to see compulsory registration, this would give representation of everyone age 18 and above. Then a choice if you do not vote.

        So much impact from Covid and it will change civilisation. As well climate change.