7000 still missing from East Coast and Ikaroa-Rawhiti electoral rolls

Just 73.24 percent of eligible local voters aged 18 to 24 are enrolled. File picture

MORE than 7000 local eligible voters remain unenrolled.

Electoral rolls are now closed for printing, but people can still enrol, as late as on election day, and still be able to vote.

Latest Electoral Commission figures show 90.69 percent of eligible East Coast and East Coast-resident Ikaroa-Rawhiti voters are enrolled.

That is similar to the national average of 89.19 percent.

As expected, the youngest voters have the lowest enrolment percentage.

Just 73.24 percent of eligible local voters aged 18 to 24 are enrolled, but that is better than the national average of just 68.92 percent.

The local cohort with the largest percentage of enrolled voters is the 60 to 64 age group with 96.81 percent enrolled.

That is lower than the national percentage of 97.63 percent.

In all, 72,374 local voters are enrolled, comprising 50,184 in East Coast and 22,190 in Ikaroa-Rawhiti. That leaves an estimated 7426 people yet to enrol.

The easiest way for people to enrol or update their details is online at vote.nz using their New Zealand driver licence, New Zealand passport or RealMe-verified identity.

From October 3 when voting starts, they can enrol and vote at the same time at any voting place, including on election day, October 17.

The deadline to register for a postal vote for the upcoming election has been extended by five days to give people more time to apply.

Postal voting is available for people who cannot go to a voting place to vote in person, for example for health or mobility reasons.

People can apply by calling 0800 36 76 56.

Registration for postal voting was to close tomorrow but that has been extended to next Monday.

About 4400 people have registered so far to vote by post and will be sent their voting papers in the mail after voting starts on October 3.

Completed voting papers can be returned by post on or before October 14, or be dropped off at any voting place before the close of voting at 7pm on election day.

After September 28, people can still call 0800 36 76 56 if they are unable to go to a voting place.

Arrangements will be made by the local Returning Officer for postal voting if there is still time, or for a friend, family member or electoral official to drop off and collect voting papers.