Enrolment closes 25 October as early voting for New Zealand's 7 November election begins Monday

Filipinos in New Zealand who are eligible to vote in the 7 November general election must enrol by midnight on Sunday, 25 October, because this year there is no enrolling during early voting, which begins on Monday, Labour Day.

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Enrolment for New Zealand's general election closes at midnight on Sunday, 25 October, and under this year's rules there will be no enrolling during the early voting period or on election day, RNZ reported. Early voting begins on Monday, Labour Day, and election day is Saturday, 7 November, when voting places will be open from 9am to 7pm.

According to RNZ, 207 locations will be open for early voting on the public holiday itself, and votes will be taken at a total of 2638 locations during the voting period. People can enrol on the Electoral Commission website. "This weekend, we'll be at events around the country to help people enrol or check their details. You can also drop off an enrolment form at one of our hubs," Chief Electoral Officer Karl Le Quesne told RNZ.

In the past few elections, people could enrol at any time during early voting right up to election day. RNZ reported in September that the coalition government eliminated same-day enrolment, and that the Electoral Commission had estimated about 55,000 party votes and 73,000 electorate votes could be disallowed this year due to a lack of enrolment.

A non-partisan voting guide on pinoys.co.nz, written for Filipino families in New Zealand, says people are generally eligible to enrol and vote if they are 18 years or older, a New Zealand citizen or a permanent resident, and have lived in New Zealand continuously for 12 months or more at some point in their life. The guide notes that you don't need ID to vote, and that if English isn't your first language you can bring a support person into the voting booth. Enrolment can be checked for free at vote.nz or by calling 0800 36 76 56.