Alicia Wright to leave the Electoral Commission in the New Year
Chief Electoral Officer Alicia Wright has announced she will leave the Electoral Commission at the end of her 5-year term.
Alicia Wright joined the Commission in 2017 and led the organisation through the delivery of the 2017 and 2020 general elections, the 2020 referendums, by-elections in Mt Albert and Northcote in 2017 and 2018, the 2018 Māori Electoral Option, and the 2019 local elections enrolment update campaign.
Alicia Wright says it has been a privilege to lead the Commission and she is proud of what has been achieved during her tenure.
“I am especially proud that we delivered two general elections with increases in enrolment, turnout and voter satisfaction, including for Māori and young people.
“The 2020 general election was like no other. We flexed and adapted our services to put COVID-19 health measures in place for our staff and voters, we managed a change in election date, and ran two referendums on important social issues, all while introducing enrolment on election day and extended prisoner voting.
“We have achieved a lot over five years and with my term coming to an end, it feels like the right time to move on. Now is a good time in the election cycle to make the transition to a new Chief Electoral Officer, to give them time to settle into the role before the next general election,” says Alicia Wright.
Alicia Wright’s term ends on 31 December, and she will stay on at the Commission into the New Year to assist with the transition.
Electoral Commission Board Chair Marie Shroff thanked Alicia Wright for her excellent work.
“Being the Chief Electoral Officer and Chief Executive at the Commission is a big job, and Alicia has always delivered. Her remarkable organisational skills were fully tested as she guided the Commission through last year’s election during the COVID-19 pandemic,” says Marie Shroff.
The Ministry of Justice will provide support for the recruitment of a new Chief Electoral Officer.