Explanatory note

This Supplementary Order Paper amends the Electoral Amendment Bill. This Supplementary Order Paper deletes new clause 24 which requires that an elector who applies to vote must verbally give or confirm his or her name and any other particulars that may be necessary to find the elector’s names on the rolls. This is discriminatory, including for those who use New Zealand Sign Language and those with a speech impediment. Subsection 2A, which suggests that those unable to verbally communicate this information may do so with a “gesture” or by “any other means with the assistance of a person nominated by the elector who is present with the elector”, is not sufficient to address the problems with this new clause. The potential to be misunderstood is high, and electors should not be required to have a support person. This change to the bill removes the ability for some electors to cast an independent vote. This is unacceptable.