A legal expert has raised issues with the Government's plan to reinstate a total ban on prisoners voting in general elections.

The Government is proposing to reverse changes that let prisoners with sentences under three years vote, with the Justice Minister saying this sends a message to those who breach their civil responsibilities.

Electoral law expert and barrister Graeme Edgeler has taken issue with the 'randomness' of this proposal.

"If someone's got a life sentence or 10 years or something, they're going to miss out on voting at elections - but someone who's maybe got a one-year sentence, the question of whether they get banned from voting turns on whether they got sentence in 2023 or 2025." 

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A legal expert has raised issues with the Government's plan to reinstate a total ban on prisoners voting in general elections.
The Government is proposing to reverse changes that let prisoners with sentences under three years vote, with the Justice Minister saying this sends a message to those who breach their civil responsibilities.
Electoral law expert and barrister Graeme Edgeler has taken issue with the 'randomness' of this proposal.
"If someone's got a life sentence or 10 years or something, they're going to miss out on voting at elections - but someone who's maybe got a one-year sentence, the question of whether they get banned from voting turns on whether they got sentence in 2023 or 2025."&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE

With a straight down the middle approach, Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive on Newstalk ZB delivers the very latest news and views to New Zealanders as they wrap up their day.

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Graeme Edgeler: electoral law expert and barrister on the Government reinstating a ban on prisoners voting

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/7048c7e6-ae85-425e-8b24-b2cf004df202/transcript