Local election voting opens tomorrow

Waikato district voters will be able to cast their votes in the 2019 local council elections from tomorrow (Friday 20 September).

Voting papers are being mailed to registered voters today. Most of the district will start receiving their papers from tomorrow, with all papers expected to be delivered by Wednesday 25 September. People who have not received their papers by then should contact Waikato District Council Electoral Officer Dale Ofsoske on 0800 922 822 or visit one of our Council offices.

Completed voting papers must be received before midday on Election Day, Saturday 12 October 2019 and can either be returned via post or dropped into a ballot box at any of our Council offices.

The voting papers for the Waikato District Council elections will use the First Past the Post (FPP) voting systems. For the FPP system, voters are required to put a tick alongside the candidate(s) they wish to vote for (up to the number of vacancies). Voting papers will contain clear instructions on how to vote.

While 90% of eligible Waikato district voters have enrolled to vote and will be receiving their voting papers, nearly 6,000 eligible voters are not enrolled.

“Although electoral rolls have now closed, people can still enrol to vote. However, they will need to request special voting papers,” Waikato District Council Chief Mr Ion says.

“Voting closes at midday on Saturday 12 October. I would encourage anyone who has not yet enrolled to do so and cast a special vote. It’s their opportunity to have a say on how the Waikato district is run over the next three years.”

Mr Ion also wants to remind voters that they don’t need to be home owners to cast a vote. “You don’t need to be a ratepayer to vote in local elections. Every resident over the age of 18 has the opportunity to have a say on who represents them and their community.”

Enrolment forms and information are available from any Council office.

Waikato District Council will be announcing shortly the locations for their popular mobile voting stations. The initiative was first run as part of the 2016 elections and will be back again in 2019.

The mobile voting stations will be popping up around the district in late September and early October. They are an alternative place for you to drop off your voting papers and will be in strategic locations. Keep an eye out on Council’s website and social media pages for the exact locations in the coming days.

In 2016, Waikato District Council recorded a 30.6% turnout for elections.

ENDS

For more information please contact:
Teresa Hancock
Senior Communications & Engagement Advisor
Waikato District Council
027 706 5776
communications@waidc.govt.nz