We trust citizens to choose a government. Surely they can enrol – Jonathan Ayling

Opinion byColumnist·NZ Herald·21 Oct, 2026 04:00 PM5 mins to readJonathan Ayling is a strategy consultant and professional director. ‌An election must both enable citizens to vote and ensure an accurate vote count. Expecting voters to enrol in a timely manner is no threat to democracy, Jonathan Ayling writes. Photo / Sylvie Whinray Enrolments in the upcoming election close this Sunday at midnight, weeks earlier than in previous elections. Indeed, at the last election, there was no deadline, with individuals able to enrol to vote at the polling station on election day. Great handwringing and pearl clutching has accompanied this change, which according