Voters urged to check spam folders as enrolment deadline nears

With less than a week before enrolment closes, the Electoral Commission says delivery of EasyVote cards is going well - despite some redirection to spam folders.RNZ has seen multiple examples of the Electoral Commission's EasyVote cards being automatically filtered into Gmail's "promotions" tab, or to the spam folder on other email services.How have you found your enrolment experience? Email iwitness@rnz.co.nzChief electoral officer Karl le Quesne said the commission had worked with email service providers to maximise the delivery of the emails with the digital cards arriving between 14 and 23 October, and "delivery is going well"."If you've given us your email address, we will send your EasyVote card by email. It's worth checking that your EasyVote email hasn't gone to your spam folder," he said."We've had a few reports of emails going to junk or spam folders, but it's not widespread. We're achieving a high level of email delivery and seeing a good level of early open rates."If the email isn't delivered or hasn't been opened within 48 hours, and we have the person's mobile number, we'll send a text letting them know we sent their EasyVote by email."EasyVote cards are not required for people to cast their vote but they include relevant details and make the process faster and easier for themselves and electoral officers alike.Le Quesne said those who were sure they had enrolled but whose EasyVote card had not arrived should simply head to a voting place without it - but urged people to check their enrolment before Sunday."If you haven't enrolled yet, there's still time. Make sure you're enrolled and your details are up to date by midnight, Sunday 25 October so your vote counts," he said.This election is the first time the commission has opted to deliver the cards via email - an administratively simpler and cheaper approach - as well as providing physical cards through the postal system.The Electoral Commission began emailing digital cards EasyVote cards out last Wednesday to anyone who had provided an email address prior to 4 October - about 2.2 million people.SuppliedThe digital cards began being sent out last Wednesday to anyone who had provided an email address prior to 4 October - about 2.2 million people. Digital cards can be shown at voting places on a smartphone, in a screenshot, or as a printout.Le Quesne said the emails were designed to comply with all ESP - Email Service Provider, or Inbox Provider - rules around configuration and security, but it would be up to recipients to actively control and influence what was going into their spam or junk folders through email client settings and actions."Our EasyVote advertising lets people know the cards are on their way by email or post and asks people to check their inbox or mailbox."We haven't included messages on spam folders in the advertising, but there is more information available on our website, including advice to check your spam or junk folder if you haven't received your EasyVote card."The commission also sent out a further estimated 1.3 million physical cards in the mail to those who had only provided a postal address or were on the unpublished roll.Le Quesne said eligible voters could enrol or update details online at Vote.nz, using a New Zealand driver licence, passport or RealMe verified identity, or phone 0800 36 76 56 for help.The fastest way to get paper enrolment forms back to the commission was to scan or photograph the form and email to enrol@vote.nz or upload at vote.nz/upload.Voting place locations are also shown at Vote.nz, which also details what to do for those who are overseas or unable to get to a voting place for other reasons.