To: Electoral Commission, the Government
Protect Voter Privacy: Expand Access to the Hidden Electoral Roll in Aotearoa
The Electoral Commission currently makes the public electoral roll available for inspection at public libraries and electoral offices, but people who face safety risks can apply to be placed on the unpublished (hidden) roll (https://vote.nz/enrolling/get-ready-to-enrol/can-you-go-on-the-unpublished-roll/) .
The Electoral Commission should expand access to the hidden roll and broaden eligibility so those with credible past risks can apply. There should also be faster and clearer application processes. Decisions should be made quickly, with clear reasons given if denied, and an easy appeals process.
The Electoral Commission should expand access to the hidden roll and broaden eligibility so those with credible past risks can apply. There should also be faster and clearer application processes. Decisions should be made quickly, with clear reasons given if denied, and an easy appeals process.
Why is this important?
Every person in Aotearoa should be able to enrol and vote safely, without fear that being on the electoral roll could put them or their whānau at risk. Enrolling should protect people’s right to participate in democracy while also upholding their personal safety and wellbeing.
Currently, the electoral roll in Aotearoa is public, meaning names and addresses are openly accessible. For many people, including survivors of violence or those with past convictions, this creates real safety risks. While the hidden (unpublished) roll exists, it is very hard to access and requires extensive proof of current risk. This leaves many vulnerable people unprotected. It also undermines whānau throughout Aotearoa who don’t have the financial stability to get legal representation to support their application. For example, my dad (an ex-prisoner) didn’t feel safe enrolling in 2023. He applied for the hidden roll but was denied, even though he was genuinely worried people from his past could find him and put him and our family at risk.
This could be achieved by:
Currently, the electoral roll in Aotearoa is public, meaning names and addresses are openly accessible. For many people, including survivors of violence or those with past convictions, this creates real safety risks. While the hidden (unpublished) roll exists, it is very hard to access and requires extensive proof of current risk. This leaves many vulnerable people unprotected. It also undermines whānau throughout Aotearoa who don’t have the financial stability to get legal representation to support their application. For example, my dad (an ex-prisoner) didn’t feel safe enrolling in 2023. He applied for the hidden roll but was denied, even though he was genuinely worried people from his past could find him and put him and our family at risk.
This could be achieved by:
- Expanding access to the hidden roll by broadening eligibility so people with credible past risks can apply.
- Making the application process faster, clearer, and easier to understand.
- Ensuring decisions are made quickly, with clear reasons if denied.
- Create a simple, accessible appeals process for those turned down.