Thousands of people could miss out on voting in the October local elections after their enrolment update packs were returned marked ‘gone no address'.

Enrolment packs were sent to 3.3 million enrolled voters at the end of June so they could check their details were up to date. Local elections are held by a postal vote and people need to be listed at the right address to get their voting papers in the mail.

'About 90,000 people have enrolled or updated their details this month and made sure they are ready to vote in the local elections,” says national manager of enrolment and community engagement foe the electoral commission, Mandy Bohte.

'There are also approximately 60,000 people whose packs have bounced back marked gone no address,” says Mandy.

'If you've moved house but haven't updated your address, do it now so that you can have your say in the local elections.

'You can update your address by filling in a new enrolment form. Got to vote.nz, pop into a post shop, or call 0800 36 76 56 and ask for a form to be sent to you.”

People must enrol or update their details by August 16 to receive their voting papers in the mail. Those enrolling after August 16 will need to contact their local council to arrange a special vote.

Postal voting for the local elections runs from September 20 to October 12.