New Zealanders abroad urged to enroll for the election as new law locks out last-minute voters

New Zealand's Electoral Commission is urging its citizens, both at home and abroad, to register to vote or update their voter information ahead of the November election. This campaign comes amid a new law that mandates voters must be enrolled in advance, with the last date to do so set at October 25. The government introduced the change to expedite the election result, but critics argue it may disenfranchise tens of thousands of voters, particularly those living abroad.

As of now, 89% of eligible New Zealanders are enrolled, but 440,000 remain unregistered, with a significant portion being young individuals. The Electoral Commission plans to target these unenrolled voters through various media channels, including social media, gaming, and streaming platforms.