Mehara Tamaki's whanau wants nullified votes to count

Mehara Tamaki, 19, died last week which means her early vote will not be counted.

Family of Mehara Tamaki will discuss making submissions to Parliament to change an electoral law which meant the young woman's early vote was disallowed when she died.

The 19-year-old from Whangarei died of a medical condition last Monday. She was a leader known for her passion for politics and before she died she cast an early vote - something she had been looking forward to doing since the previous election.

The Electoral Act declares if a person votes but dies before election day, their vote is not counted. Ms Tamaki's whanau and friends want this changed.

Earlier:
Grieving family say young Northland leader's vote should count

Associate Justice Minister Mark Mitchell said the main forum for achieving cross-party consensus on changes to the electoral law is the Justice and Electoral Committee which, following every general election, holds an inquiry into how the election went and seeks public submissions on ideas for improvement.

"The issue raised in respect of Ms Tamaki's vote is clearly worth examining, and the committee's inquiry would be a good place to do this. This would ensure that public submissions can be heard, policy advice sought from the Electoral Commission and Ministry of Justice, and a cross-party consensus formed.

"I'm happy to refer the matter to the committee for its consideration, if that's what Ms Tamaki's whanau and friends would like. Alternatively, they could make a written and/or in person submission directly," Mr Mitchell said.

The inquiry is likely to start with a call for submissions in March or April next year. After every inquiry the committee makes a set of recommendations to the government, which can then be implemented into law through an Electoral Amendment Bill.

Ms Tamaki's sister, Kataraina, said the family would like the matter raised with the committee, and the family would also discuss making submissions.

"We want this to be known and to make a change for our sister and cousin," she said.

Political party Mana Movement has said it will also be challenging the law. Ms Tamaki was active in encouraging people vote.

Whangarei Youth Space general manager Bernie Burrell said Ms Tamaki, who was a youth trustee for WYS, was encouraging of youth space to support young people in exercising their right to vote.

"For first-time voters it can be a different experience. They can be nervous so that's why for the ones that want to, we've been walking them over to the voting booth and supporting them."

Ms Burrell said WYS have information on the different parties available which Ms Tamaki had been admiring.

TomorrowWYS will be open from 10.30am to 3pm to support first-time voters.