2016 Local Elections voting period open

The 2016 Local Elections voting period is now open.

Elections candidate profiles are included with voting papers mailed out from Friday 16 September. The profile booklet and other information can also be downloaded from the Elections page on Council’s website www.horowhenua.govt.nz

Any registered voter who has not received their voting papers by tomorrow, Wednesday 21 September, should contact Deputy Electoral Officer Ian Tate on 06 366 0999 or ianct@horowhenua.govt.nz to arrange a special vote.

Mr Tate says the election is a postal vote and therefore papers should be returned via NZ Post using the postage-paid orange voting envelope.

“The ballot box in the Customer Services area at Council’s Levin building is intended for special vote processing and the receipt of voting papers that will not make the standard NZ Post delivery to the independent processing centre in Christchurch,” Mr Tate said.

The latest statistics show that of the 24,370 eligible voters in Horowhenua, 22,735 (93.29%) have enrolled to vote. The estimated 1635 eligible voters who have not enrolled can still do so, however they will need to request special voting papers as electoral rolls have closed. People can enrol, or check and update their details, at www.elections.org.nz or at any NZ Post Shop.

The Horowhenua District Council, Foxton Community Board and Horizons Regional Council voting papers will use the First Past the Post (FPP) system, where voters are required to put a tick alongside the candidate(s) they wish to vote for.

Included in the election pack will be the MidCentral District Health Board voting papers which will use the STV system, where voters are required to rank the candidates in order of preference.

Mr Tate said there are clear instructions on the voting papers and people should read them carefully before casting their vote to ensure they are using the right method.

Voting closes at midday on Saturday 8 October.

ENDS

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