Earlier this year, many Māori voters received a letter from the Electoral Commission asking them to confirm their address. Failure to respond resulted in deregistration from the voter roll, impacting a significant number of individuals.
This situation has sparked considerable concern, particularly in light of a new bill introduced by MP Paul Goldsmith. This bill, currently under review by the select committee, proposes to prevent those deregistered for this reason from casting a special vote in the upcoming election.
Critics argue that such a scenario, were it to occur in a predominantly Pākehā electorate like Epsom, would be met with widespread outrage and treated as a constitutional crisis, potentially involving the Governor-General and dominating news cycles.
The concern is that this disproportionate impact on Māori voters, who tend to support liberal parties, is a deliberate strategy by the coalition government to manipulate the next election. Rather than winning through merit, the government may be attempting to reduce the opposition’s voter base.
In response, community advocates are urging Māori voters to take proactive steps to ensure their registration status. A key recommendation is to utilize the RealMe identity verification system. This involves confirming your identity with the Department of Internal Affairs using a passport or birth certificate. A verification code is then sent by NZ Post, allowing individuals to update their address with the Electoral Commission online, thereby avoiding potential deregistration due to unreturned letters.
With the election drawing closer, it’s crucial to register promptly, as new registrations will eventually be closed. Critics argue that this closure is not about safeguarding democracy but about clinging to power.
Concerns have also been raised that these actions may breach the Bill of Rights Act, drawing parallels to the controversial disenfranchisement of prisoners. Opponents argue that the true motivation behind preventing prisoners from voting lies in the fact that they do not traditionally support National, NZ First, or ACT.
This situation raises serious questions about the fairness and integrity of the electoral process in Aotearoa.
