In 2011, less than 75 per cent of eligible voters took part - the lowest official level since 1978, although if the errors in that year's electoral roll are removed, you'd have to go back to 1887 for a lower voter turnout.
And for our young people, nearly half of 18-24-year-olds didn't vote in 2011. But with a number of campaigns targeting youth, I hope the stats this time around are improved.
This week has also featured the United Nation's International day of Democracy, with this year's theme being engaging young people.
Our New Zealand experience apparently reflects a global trend of declining faith in politics, which may be part of the rise of youth-led movements for democratic change, strengthened by the growing impact of social media.
While scrutineering, I thought about how easy it is to vote in New Zealand - you don't need ID, you don't get fingerprinted, there's no one harassing you, there are protections to allow people to have make their choice and keep it private and personal.
It made me reconsider my previous enthusiasm for the idea of online voting as a way to reach more young people. The beauty of a polling booth is you are able to make your selection with your orange marker pen without any peer pressure or undue influence or even bullying that might happen at home with online voting due to no independent supervision. So I've changed my tune on that for general elections at least.
I know that politicians are not exactly the most admired profession - in fact, they are regularly sharing the bottom of popularity polls along with used car salesmen and journalists. But I've been blown away by the commitment and sacrifice of our candidates.
While our sitting MPs collect a salary during campaigning, most of our candidates do not. Many give up their jobs or take leave without pay, others work all hours day and night to keep up with their families and work lives, while travelling electorates - often hundreds of kilometres - and attending meeting after meeting. And it couldn't happen without their supportive families and friends in the background.
The contribution of volunteers is incredible, whether they are hosting a billboard, delivering newsletters, taking part in phone-call campaigns or door-knocking - there is an incredible network of people across all political spectrums who give of their personal time because they care about policies. And policy debate has not been a strong feature of this campaign - probably a great frustration for many.
Finally, the political campaign teams themselves have been amazing. Most of these people are employed on temporary contracts and election day - or not long after - signals a well-deserved break from the intensity and, sometimes, insanity ... and unemployment.
Whether or not they achieve success for their party in the election results, they are out of a job.
So for what it's worth, I am thankful for these incredible people who give so much to make our democracy an active and entertaining journey.
Now this is not an election in which to make predictions - it's been crazy - but I do suspect special votes will play a part. I will be watching the results come in on Saturday night with much interest. And I'll be back volunteering as a scrutineer on Saturday morning at Oakura School, looking forward to being part of democracy in action.
Nicola Young is a former Department of Conservation manager who now works for global consultancy AECOM. Educated at Wanganui Girls' College, she has a science degree and is the mother of two boys.
