8 Aug 2009

All referendum ballot papers sent out

7:50 pm on 8 August 2009

All ballot papers for the referendum on smacking have been delivered.

The poll asks "Should a smack as part of good parental correction be a criminal offence in New Zealand?"

The Chief Electoral Office says that by close of business on Thursday 570,300 votes had been cast.

The Citizens' Initiated Referendum on smacking closes on 21 August.

Papers won't be counted until after voting closes.

The chief electoral officer Robert Peden says that if anyone who enrolled by 30 July has not got their voting paper, they can get a replacement voting paper through the website, elections.org.nz, or by calling the freephone number, 0800 36 76 56.