Electoral Commission recruiting 25,000 people to run the general election

Tuesday, 9 June 2020

The Electoral Commission is recruiting 25,000 people across the country to help run the September general election.

Chief electoral officer Alicia Wright said all 15 job categories would be paid at least the living wage of $22.10 per hour, but some jobs paid up to $32 an hour.

Roles included working in voting places, counting votes, offering administrative support as well as management.

Wright said so far the commission had received 12,500 applications and 5000 of those had been since Friday, when it increased its social media advertising.

**READ MORE:

* Coronavirus: Electoral Commission planning for 'safe' September election

* New Zealand will vote on two referendums on election day, but won't know result for 13 days

* Auckland local body elections: How to vote, what you are voting on and key dates

**

The general election will be held on September 19. But people will be able to vote from September 5, two weeks before the election date.

There were about 15 different types of roles and anyone over the age of 16 years could apply.

The work could start in July with hours depending on the roles.

Workers would also be paid to attend training if required.

Being able to speak more than one language was an advantage, Wright said.

'Voting places are run by people who live in the area, so it's a great way to get involved in your community.'

It was often a struggle to find enough staff in rural areas, she said.

Nearly 2.6 million New Zealanders,voted in the 2017 election.

Voter turnout was up 6.5 per cent among young people.

The overall voter turnout as a percentage of enrolled electors was 79.8 per cent, the highest turnout since 2005 according to the Electoral Commission.

This year two referendums will be held alongside the election – one on personal cannabis use and another on legalising euthanasia.