ELECTORAL ROLLS

Hokitika Guardian, 31 October 1931, Page 6

ELECTORAL ROLLS

REGISTRATION COMPULSORY

POINTS TO REAIE.MBER

PERSONS WHO ARE ELIGIBLE

With the approach of the general elections there has been a steady increase in the number of people making applications for enrolment on the electoral rolls. Those who are eligible, but who have not made application to be enrolled, are warned that it is compulsory for them to do so. The main rolls closed on July Bth, but tljet supplementary rolls are still open and Till not close until the issue ol the writ, probably early next month.

Electors who have attained the age of 21 since the last general election and who have not yet claimed enrolment should make immediate application, providing they are otherwise qualified. It should be understood, however, that whereas registration is compulsory, voting is optional. To be eligible for inclusion on the roll the claimant must be a British subject by birth or by naturalisation in New Zealand, must he not less than 21 years of age at the time of making the claim, and must, have been a resident of New Zealand for twelve months, at any time, and a resident of the district in which lie claims registration for three months immediately preceding application for registration. ■A person must claim enrolment lor the district in which he lives and not tor the district in which his property or business interests lie. A commercial traveller, however, not withstanding that he lias not resided in any electoral district for three months immediately preceding bis registration, is entitled to lie enrolled in the district in which the headquarters of his business are situated. provided that he lias lived in New Zealand for a year immediately preceding bis application.

In the case of a change of address within the electorate, it is not necessary to make fresh application for enrolment, but the registrar must be advis d of the change. If an elector changes his residence, or lea ve s a cl istriet shortly before an election, lie can still be entitled to vote in bis former district, either at a booth there, or as an absent voter. If, however, be moves to a new district at least three months prior to the issue of the writ, lie must make application for enrolment in the new district. Forms of application for change of address can bo obtained at any post office or office of registrar of electors. Applications for registration forms must, be signed by the applicant in the presence of a witness, who shall'be—(it) A registrar or deputy- registrar; (b) .an elector of the district in which the applicant or declarant resides, or some person authorised in that behalf by the registrar of flint district; (cl the chief electoral officer, or deputvofficer; or ally other in the service of the Government authorised in that behalf by tin* chief electoral officer; (d) a justice or postmaster.