MEDIA RELEASE
4TH SEPTEMBER 2008

One system for Wellington

In September, Wellingtonians have a second chance to vote for using STV (Single Transferable Vote) for Council elections, and the 'Keep STV' campaign took to the streets this week.

The Electoral Reform Coalition is leafleting widely in the city and using a variety of means to get its 'fair vote' message out to voters.

The ERC successfully fought for STV for Wellington in 2002, and is hopeful of winning by an even stronger margin than last time.

"We are confident that people will use their vote in the September postal ballot to keep STV for Wellington City", says ERC branch convener Phil Saxby.

"STV is the most democratic system for local government, because most voters are choosing between candidates rather than political parties. That's what STV is all about."

Waitakere City, the fifth largest council in the country, has just voted to use STV for the 2010 and 2013 local body elections.

"STV is a proportional voting system", says STV supporter, Cr Iona Pannett. "Under STV the Wellington City council will always contain a wide range of people and views. For example, STV has achieved a higher representation for women and young people on Wellington City council."

Kapiti, Porirua and Wellington all use STV," says Phil. "Our message is - it's important to 'Keep STV' for a fair vote in the future, and one where all votes count towards the result".

"We would also like the regional council to use STV, given that a majority of the region's voters are using STV for their local council elections," he says. "And all DHB elections are run using STV".

"Let's have one system for Wellington!" says Phil. "It's the best system for Wellington - Keep STV!"

ENDS

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