Election day September 20 is looming

ENROL: Federated Farmers' encourages all those in the rural communities to vote; every vote counts in what is predicted to be a close result.

However you live your life, whether it is in the heart of Auckland's CBD or in the backblocks of the Otago high country, we are all equal in one simple way. We all have the right to vote, and that's a powerful thing.
Have your say

In New Zealand, it is easier to enrol and vote than in almost any other country on earth, but because of the distance to community amenities those living in rural and remote New Zealand may need to put more thought and planning than most into making sure they have their say.
Who can and can't enrol and vote?

By law, everyone who is eligible must enrol, although voting is not compulsory. Those who are eligible to enrol:

- are 18 years or older, AND

- have lived in New Zealand for more than one year continuously at some time in their life, AND

- are a New Zealand citizen, OR permanent resident of New Zealand.

This is particularly relevant for those employing migrant workers. Australians, Cook Island Maori, Niueans and Tokelauans can enrol once they have lived in New Zealand continuously for 12 months (they do not require permanent residency to be eligible to enrol and vote).

Why enrol early?

Enrolling early makes it easier to vote in September's election. Those who are enrolled by Wednesday, August 20 will receive an EasyVote card and information pack about a week before Election Day.

This includes information about where and when to vote in advance or on election day, a list of the candidates standing in the relevant electorate, and the party lists. Encourage your employees to enrol, check, or update their details now to make voting as easy as possible, at www.elections.org.nz, by calling 0800 36 76 56, freetext their name and address to 3676, or at any PostShop.

How to vote

If you wish to vote earlier in advance you can from Wednesday, September 3. So if you only travel into town every so often, plan a trip during the voting period to coincide with when you can vote in advance.

Information about when and where advance voting facilities will be open will be available at www.elections.org.nz and from 0800 36 76 56 from August 27.

In some parts of the country, like Clutha-Southland, a mobile voting service will be provided.

If you are not going to be able to get to a voting place during the advance voting period or on election day than contact your local Returning Officer for advice.

Contact details for all Returning Officers will be available from 0800 36 76 56 or www.elections.org.nz from August 4.