Apathy leaves 16% of Westland voters unregistered

With voting in local body elections just around the corner that will see Westland Mayor Maureen Pugh challenged for her position for the first time in three years, not everyone in Westland seems to be taking an interest.
West Coast-Tasman registrar of electors Sue Gage yesterday undertook a whistle stop tour of Hokitika to drum home the importance of registering to vote in elections.
She was “very concerned” that only 84% of residents in Westland were registered to vote, compared to 93% in Buller and an almost total turnout of 95% in both the Grey and Tasman districts.
“It is very low — 1000 people are still not registered to vote.” she said.
“I have visited Westland High School, Allen Bryant Lifecare, Westland Milk Products and Tai Poutini Polytechnic just to try and get the community behind the elections. But we are fighting against a lot of apathy.
“Even in the older age groups there is a big gap, it is not just the young, it is right across the board.”
Mrs Gage was particularly concerned at the low electoral roll register for the 30-34 and 65-69 age groups in Westland, which only accounted for just 77% and 87% of those age groups respectively.
However, it was not too late for people to register as they could contact the council and ask for special voting papers right up to the day before the local body elections. It was also possible some people did not realise that they were not registered and she urged everyone to check the electoral roll to check their details were correct.
“Especially if people have moved house in the past 12 months, that is when details can get lost.”
Although by law it was not compulsory to vote, it was compulsory to register, she said.