Ashburton District Mayor Neil Brown is reminding local electors to check that they are enrolled ready for the upcoming General Election and referendums happening on 17 October.

Residents who are 18 years or older, are a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident and have lived in New Zealand continuously for 12 months or more at some time in their life are eligible to vote.

The elections will decide who will govern the country for the next three years. Electors will also be able to vote on whether recreational cannabis use should become legal and whether the End of Life Choice Act 2019 should come into force.

Mayor Brown says, "The right to vote and decide who will represent you is a fundamental component of our country's democracy and one which all eligible voters should take very seriously.

"You can't participate and make your voice heard without being correctly enrolled, so please enrol or confirm your details in time for the election."

Advance voting will open on Saturday 3 October. Voting places will open on election day (Saturday 17 October) from 9am until 7pm.​

To enrol or check your enrolment using your New Zealand driver license, New Zealand passport or RealMe verified identity, visit vote.nz, call 0800 36 76 56, text your name and address to 3676, or visit any voting place when they open from Saturday 3 October.​