Green Party calls on Justice Minister to allow people in prison to vote during elections

The Green Party is calling on the Justice Minister to ensure improved prisoner rehabilitation and integration by allowing people in prison to cast their vote during elections.

“Today is 125 years since New Zealand women first went to the polls, yet to this day there are New Zealanders still denied from casting their vote”, Green spokesperson on Justice Golriz Ghahraman said today.

“This is because in 2010 the National Party banned all people in prison from casting their vote.

“This further excludes them from processes that engage them in society, making rehabilitation harder.

“It undermines democracy and removes fundamental rights, which has been confirmed by the majority of the Supreme Court, who believe the ban should be overturned.

“Our justice system disproportionately targets Māori and lower socio-economic communities, this doubles down on existing prejudice and rights breaches.

“That’s why, the Green Party is calling on the Minister of Justice to return the vote to people in prison.

“In years gone by, people in prison have been allowed to engage in democracy and all sides of politics have expressed support for this at one time or another.

“This would be a simple change that would engage people in prison more in their community, incarceration should not exempt you from the democratic process.

“I urge the Minister to prioritise this change“.

Latest Justice Announcements

Story

Greens welcome deadline extension but reiterate call for Bill to be binned

The Green Party welcomes the extension of the deadline for Treaty Principles Bill submissions but continues to call on the Government to abandon th...
Read More

Story

Failed boot camp experiment must end

As legislation to set up boot camps passed its first reading, the Green Party urged the Government to abandon this failed policy experiment for the...
Read More

Story

Justice Select Committee opens floor for Treaty Principles submissions

Today, the Justice Select Committee has decided to officially open submissions for the controversial Treaty Principles Bill. 
Read More

Story

Greens join King’s Counsel in calling for Treaty Principles Bill to be abandoned

The Prime Minister must answer the call from a group of senior lawyers of the King’s Counsel to abandon the divisive Treaty Principles Bill. 
Read More

Story

Not too late to abandon the Bill, Christopher

The Green Party is urgently calling on Prime Minister Christopher Luxon to abandon the Treaty Principles Bill following reports it will be introduc...
Read More

Story

Govt must maintain Treaty provisions in Corrections Bill

The Green Party is calling on the Government to support its proposed amendments to leave Treaty provisions in the Corrections Bill. 
Read More