Media Statement

17 July 2013

Youth organizations key to increasing number of young voters

Local Board member Simeon brown hopes other groups in Manurewa will take up the challenge of increasing youth voting enrolment and turnout for the upcoming local body elections. After a successful afternoon raising awareness in the Manurewa town centre about enrolling to vote, Mr Brown and members from the Manurewa Youth Council hope that enrolment is in the front of people’s mind.

“We need to ensure that our friends and Whanau are enrolled and voting, the upcoming election will be our chance to say how we want our communities develop and we have seen the huge decisions the people in power have to make” Says Simeon Brown.

“It is essential we get young people out voting, they are the ones who will have to face the long term consequences of decisions made today, but they aren’t engaged enough in these important decision making processes” Mr Brown continues

“Because the local body elections are a postal vote we need get young people enrolled now so they can get their election papers on time and have the chance to submit their vote.”

“The timing for us was critical as this week there was school holidays and university breaks overlapping so we had the best chance of engaging young people and making them aware of the upcoming elections” Says Manurewa Youth Council Communications Lead Matthew Ward who worked Mr Brown and his Manurewa Youth Council colleague Akshaay Ananth “It was great that we were not only able to sign up many people but make them think about the upcoming elections and the important decisions that needed to be made beforehand such as choosing between the Maori and general role.”

To receive voting papers enrolments must be submitted by Friday 16 August and voting papers will be sent out Friday 20 September.

ENDS

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