KEY POINTS:
Ed Young is a self-described swing voter - even though he's remained loyal to the same party for more than 30 years.
It's all a matter of perspective when you've lived through 31 general elections, voted in nearly 25 and never missed a chance to have your say.
Now at 98, Mr Young is one of the country's most experienced voters.
He has seen 21 prime ministers and been through many changes in the election system - including the voting age twice being lowered and the introduction of MMP.
While he wouldn't tell anyone who to vote for, Mr Young imparted simple advice to first-time voters, who are exactly 80 years his junior.
"Just think," said the former grocer and taxi driver. "Just think about who they are going to go for and where they want the country to go."
Despite failing eyesight and relying on a frame for support to walk, he has already cast an advance vote.
"It was very easy," the Ranfurly Veterans Home and Hospital resident told the Herald over morning tea.
"I had already made up my mind - I voted for National."
But parties right of centre have not always got Mr Young's tick.
"I voted for Labour first in the 1935 elections when Michael Joseph Savage became the first Labour Prime Minister in New Zealand," he said.
Mr Young lived in Fiji for a couple of years but came back before the 1938 ballot in which he again voted red.
Labour also had his support through the years of World War II.
"Then I got a little bit, well, not quite happy with Labour policies."
The stance against nuclear-armed ships under Labour in the 1980s - which stopped US Navy ships visiting New Zealand - troubled the veteran, who thought allowing them would be good for tourism.
While National's John Key is not as outspoken as Mr Young would like, he has the widower's support.
Mr Young's sharp interest in politics hasn't dulled with age.
The daily news is read aloud in the home's occupational therapy room during morning tea and residents debate hot topics.
BALLOT BOX
Making it count through the years
1935 Ed Young gives his tick to Labour, helping vote in the first Labour Prime Minister, Michael Joseph Savage.
1943 He votes Labour in the election held during World War II.
1946 It is a Wednesday when Ed Young votes. Four years later the law changed to make elections take place on Saturdays.
1951 Ed Young goes to the polling booth in the first election at which voting in "European", as they were then known, and Maori electorates was conducted on the same day
1969 Ed Young turns 59 and is for the first time joined at the polling booth by 20-year-olds, after the voting age was reduced from 21. The voting age dropped again in 1974 from 20 to 18, where it has since remained.
1996 Ed Young votes in the first general election held under MMP. The number of MPs has increased in his voting lifetime from 80 to 120.
