The Māori Electoral Option will be amended to allow Māori voters to change electoral rolls at any moment, according to Justice Minister Kris Faafoi. In the next weeks, the bill is scheduled to be introduced in the House of Representatives.
Kris Faafoi said, “This work follows through on our 2020 election commitment to protect the integrity of New Zealand elections and is part of our ongoing work to modernize the Electoral Act so they remain fit for purpose and meet the needs of the next generation of voters”.
“By allowing Māori to change rolls at any time, up to and including on polling day, it provides Māori with flexibility and promotes participation in New Zealand’s democracy.”
“By removing the restrictions that currently lock Māori voters in their roll choice for two general elections, this change represents a significant improvement to a status quo that prevents Māori voters from fully exercising their electoral rights.” Kris Faafoi added.
Kris Faafoi said, “This work follows through on our 2020 election commitment to protect the integrity of New Zealand elections and is part of our ongoing work to modernize the Electoral Act so they remain fit for purpose and meet the needs of the next generation of voters”.
“By allowing Māori to change rolls at any time, up to and including on polling day, it provides Māori with flexibility and promotes participation in New Zealand’s democracy.”
“By removing the restrictions that currently lock Māori voters in their roll choice for two general elections, this change represents a significant improvement to a status quo that prevents Māori voters from fully exercising their electoral rights.” Kris Faafoi added.
The Māori Electoral Option is a four-month period organized every 5 to 6 years during which Māori voters can switch between the general or Māori electoral rolls. The last time that happened was in 2018, and under present laws, Māori will only be able to switch their rolls till after the 2023 General Election.
In mid-2021, the Ministry of Justice conducted targeted engagement on the Māori Electoral Option, meeting with academics and interested groups for in-depth conversations that drew on their professional skills, research, and personal experiences.
The Justice Select Committee and the Electoral Commission have both voiced concerns about the timing and frequency of the Māori Electoral Option in their findings.
The Justice Select Committee and the Electoral Commission have both voiced concerns about the timing and frequency of the Māori Electoral Option in their findings.
“The feedback from the engagement overwhelmingly supported a shift to a continuous model to remove the restrictions on Māori voters’ electoral rights. The current restrictions on timing and frequency of the Option are unjustified, unfair, and often difficult to understand”, Kris Faafoi stated.
While the legislation amendment will allow Māori voters to shift rolls at any time, people will not be able to switch rolls to vote in by-elections.
Kris Faafoi said, “During the consultation period we reached out to all political parties during the policy and engagement process for their views on the timing and frequency of the Māori Electoral Option. We thank them for their engagement so far, and look forward to engaging with them further throughout the parliamentary process”.
The Bill is projected to take effect in March 2023; in period of the General Election.