The bill aims to amend the Electoral Act 1993 to support the delivery of, and participation in, elections.

It would make changes to the political donations framework including:

• lowering the threshold for public disclosure of donations and contributions to political parties from $15,000 to $5,000
• changing the reporting requirements for donations of more than $20,000 from the same donor
• requiring parties to specify the total amount of all donations received
• requiring parties to provide a copy of their financial statements to the Electoral Commission
• requiring parties to report donations under $1,000 that are not made anonymously
• requiring candidates to publicly report on loans received to support their campaign.

The bill would also temporarily extend the eligibility period for registering as an elector. To be eligible, New Zealand citizens living overseas must have been in New Zealand within the last three years. The bill would change this to six years. The bill would change the eligibility period for permanent residents from 12 months to four years. This amendment would only be in place for the 2023 General Election.

Finally, the bill would enable the regulated election period to shift if the election date changes.

Tell the Justice Committee what you think

Make a submission on the bill by 11.59pm on 31 August 2022.

For more details about the bill:

· Read the full content of the bill

· What’s been said in Parliament about the bill?

· Follow the committee’s Facebook page for updates

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