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A new generation of voters will head to the ballot box this year, but how prepared are first-time voters to make their decisions?
As enrolment efforts ramp up ahead of the General Election, Ōrewa College Year 13 student Rama Al Samadi is preparing to cast her first vote and spoke to Hibiscus Matters about her experience so far.
While politics is not something Rama discusses constantly with her friends, major events often spark conversations, particularly when stories appear in the news or across social media. She says, her interest has also been shaped by conversations at home and what she has learned at school.
“Since I study History and Social Studies, I have also become more interested in political issues and how they affect people and communities,” she says.
However, understanding political issues is only one part of preparing to vote. Rama says she is still learning about the practical side of the process.
“I know that I need to enrol before I can vote, but I’m still learning about how the process works,” she says.
Enrolling is the first step for young people voting for the first time, followed by finding reliable information about the voting process, candidates and issues.
Information about enrolling and key election dates is available through the Electoral Commission at vote.nz, with the enrolment deadline set for October 25.
Rama says she feels partly prepared for the election, but knows there is still plenty to learn.
“There are still a lot of different parties and issues to learn about, so I want to do more research before I make my decision,” she says.
Rama wants to understand her choices before voting, rather than simply following others’ opinions.
With information coming from news outlets, political parties, social media, friends and family, it can be difficult to know what is reliable and what may be biased. Boise State University Professor of Communication and Media Seth Ashley recommends checking the reliability of sources and comparing content across different outlets. He also advises watching for propaganda tactics such as repetition, scare tactics and unrealistic promises.
For Rama, voting is about more than taking part in an election. She believes young people have an important role in shaping their communities and the future they will inherit.
“I think it is important because young people are also part of the community, and the decisions made now can affect our future,” she says.
“Voting gives young people a chance to have their voice heard.”
As her first election approaches, Rama says voting is also an opportunity to become more involved in what is happening across New Zealand and understand the responsibility that comes with having a say.
