Voting opens soon in 2019 Council elections

Issued: Tuesday 10 September 2019

Link to Elections page here

South Waikato voters will be able to cast their votes in the 2019 Council elections from Saturday 21 September.

Voting papers are being mailed to registered voters from Wednesday 18 September 2019.

“If you are registered to vote, you can expect to receive your papers from Saturday 21 September, with all papers expected to be delivered by Wednesday 25 September,” said Council’s Deputy Electoral Officer Jude Cuttriss. “Registered voters who have not received their papers by then should contact myself at Council.”

Eligible voters can also vote in the Waikato Regional Council elections.

While 85% of eligible South Waikato voters are enrolled to vote and will be receiving their voting papers, approximately 2,500 eligible voters are not enrolled.

“Although electoral rolls have now closed, people can still vote by completing a Special Vote,” Mrs Cuttriss says. “This can be done from 20 September to noon on 12 October, Monday to Friday, from 9am to 4pm at the Council offices in Tokoroa and Putāruru.”

In 2016 South Waikato District Council recorded a 42% per cent turnout.

“This effectively means that a large number of people who are enrolled to vote, don’t vote,” continued Mrs Cuttriss.

The percentage of people enrolled to vote is higher in older age brackets. Over 90% of people who are 55 years are enrolled, between 80% and 89% of those aged between 30 years of age and 54 are on the roll, 71% of those aged between 25 and 29; and only 59% aged between 18 and 24 years of age.

According to research, one of the primary reasons for not voting is because people feel they don’t know enough about the candidates. Profiles of all candidates are available on Council’s website, a profile booklet comes with voting papers and people are encouraged to attend one, or more, of a number of Meet the Candidate sessions being organised in the district by community groups and organisations. Known events are listed on Council’s website.

Voting papers must be received by the Council before midday on Election Day, 12 October 2019. Do not put voting papers in the mail after Tuesday 8 October – they may not get to Council in time to count. After Tuesday 8 October, drop off at the voting boxes at the Council offices in Tokoroa and Putāruru or at The Dog in Tīrau.

For more on Elections visit www.southwaikato.govt.nz. ENDS. Words: 394