Car Registration, 'VOTE', Used To Spread Political Message

A Dutch-born grandmother, currently living in New Zealand, is hopeful that her purchase of the car registration, VOTE, will result in a greater number of people taking advantage of their chance to have their say at November's general election.

53-year-old, Maria Van Der Meel, from Island Bay, paid $749 for the politically-themed number plate in an attempt to inspire a greater voter turnout on November 8th. She said of the purchase:

"I do this for the city. I do this for the country I chose to immigrate to in 1974 in the hope that more people will vote and we will get a better outcome."

Before having the idea of using a carefully selected private number plate to encourage votes, Ms. Van Der Meel spread her message in a more traditional way, last year using a sign displaying "Still Not Voted?" in an effort to spread encouragement.

The grandmother of six admitted that the sign, unfortunately, went unnoticed, but is optimistic about her latest idea, saying that the number plate is far better as private number plates get noticed, and that driving the car around is far easier than standing out in rush-hour traffic.

New Zealand's general election takes place on November 8th.

Back to News Index