The wheels of democracy are beginning to turn in general election year as the Electoral Commission begins its triennial mailing to every residential address nationwide.

In the Bay of Plenty, 93,060 enrolment update packs are being mailed for people to check their details ahead of the November 26 general election and referendum.

The referendum is about the electoral system being used; at present: mixed member proportional (MMP).

In the Bay of Plenty, the Electoral Commission has undertaken an enrolment drive at schools, encouraging students who will be aged 18 years on or before November 26 to enrol. The final school visited on the enrolment drive was Bethlehem College, with the pictured students taking the chance to enrol. Pictured are Ella Frawley, Centaine Treasurer, Larissa McCullough, Guy Troughton, Nathan Calcinai, Callum Andrew, Michael Wickham and Nathan Burgi.

Nationwide the mailing involves the delivery of about three million enrolment packs, making it one of New Zealand's biggest single mailouts.

'To vote in this year's election, the first step is making sure you're correctly enrolled,” says Electoral Enrolment Centre national manager Murray Wicks.

'The enrolment update packs being sent out this week are your chance to check your details, make any changes that need to be made, and find out more information about the election and referendum.

'The start of the enrolment drive signals the countdown to election day has officially started.

'We can't say it strongly enough – the only way to vote in this year's general election and referendum is to be enrolled, so get ready for it now.”

People who have not received their enrolment update pack by Thursday, June 2 will need to enrol. They can enrol or update their details at www.elections.org.nz or enrolment forms are available by free texting your name and address to 3676, calling 0800 ENROL NOW (0800 36 76 56) or at any Post Shop.