POSTAL VOTING

Hokitika Guardian, 4 January 1928, Page 4

POSTAL VOTING

FAC! I .IT IKS K X T F.X I) FT). At the general elect ion next Deeom--1 <«'i- lt’smv rogi-tered electors who did not previocslv eniov the privilege of v< 1 ins.’ liy mail Vili.'ii ] novel! ted from at vend jure at a proper polling place v. id ho able to record their votes, despite any disabiiily. such as ahxenee from New Zealand. The Elector:)l Act. 1927. which takes (.•It'.T't as front .January 1. is largely a consolidating measure, but its provisions as to postal voting are now. in seme respects. Tile Act provides that any registered fleeter who will l.e absent from Xew Zealand on polling

day may, on obtaining a postal vote certificate and postal ballot, paper, vote elsewhere than at a duly appointed jKilling place, “at such time, in such manner, and on such conditions,” as may he prescribed by regulations. The privileges of postal voting will also lie enjoyed liy registered electors who will not, throughout the hours of polling day, ho within five miles of a polling place, or who will Ik> travelling under conditions which will preclude them from attending a polling place. Registered electors who are ill, or infirm, or women who by reason of approaching or recent maternity aio uliable to attend, will also lie able to vote by post. Lighthouse-keepers, their staff ami wives, will, of course, enjoy the same facilities. Previously writs were returnable within 28 days. The new Act. makes provision for the return of writs within -If) days, tho jieriod having been extended so that absentee votes may be included in the returns.

An important clause in the Act- induces the months of grace which are allowed electors before it is compulsory to register. Previously, when an elector had resided in a district for three months he was allowed four months in uMcli to make application for registration. He might live for seven months in an electorate before lie was liable to conviction for a breach or the Act. Tho new Act stipulates that electors shall apply within a month after they have become entitled to make application. That is to say. after qualifying for registration by renson of three months’ residence, they shall make application within the fourth month. Although it. is not compulsory to vote, the Act makes it. obligatory to register, and a penalty may be imposed on those who omit to do so.