YOU know it's almost time for an election when the usual call goes out for young people to get enrolled to vote.
It's an important message and one which this time around will, hopefully, be heeded.
Younger voters are notoriously apathetic and, unfortunately, no one has yet been able to come up
with a sure-fire way of getting them down to the ballot box.
The push to get young people involved began in Wanganui this week, with Whanganui registrar of electors Fiona Strang visiting schools and training organisations to spread the enrolment message.
The task faced by Mrs Strang is not an easy one.
There's a traditional disconnect between young people and the world of politics.
The parliamentary beltway, inhabited by men and women in suits, seems a world away from the life of most of this country's 18-year-olds, many of whom are experiencing the freedoms of leaving home for the first time and all that comes with that particular milestone.
Usually in an election year, there's a lolly scramble to try and secure the youth vote.
Candidates and leaders make their way to university campuses in an effort to sway the country's newest voters.
The irony is that this time around, while last week's Budget has shown that there's not really that many financial lollies to throw out, there are actually a few issues on the political agenda that may hold some interest for young people.
There'll be plenty of mileage in speculation around the future of the student loan scheme, as well as the drinking age and driver licensing.
The polling gap between the two major parties is expected to narrow, as traditionally occurs as an election approaches. While it may be stretching things to say the youth vote could make all the difference, it remains important.
But as with all elections, there's more at stake than just deciding who gets to hold the power for the next three years.
More important is the need to demonstrate to young people the importance of having their say and playing their part in our democracy, in the process hopefully embedding some positive habits that will stand them in good stead for the rest of their lives.
Feedback: editor@wanganuichronicle.co.nz
