Media Release

19/07/2018

The Future Tairāwhiti committee has supported in principle a proposal to trial online voting in the 2019 local elections.

Council staff have been involved in a national Local Government working group that is advocating for online voting.

Today the committee received a report outlining the proposed trial and approved a recommendation to support the trial, either alone or in partnership with other councils.

Final support will be subject to several conditions, including the cost being acceptable and all risks being appropriately managed.

The full council must still give final approval for the trial to go ahead and the enabling legislation needs to be passed for it to be implemented in time for the next election.

Council previously considered an online voting trial in 2015 but decided against it due to the unbudgeted $50k estimated cost of participating.

There is budget for the trial in the 2018–2028 Long Term Plan.

If it goes ahead, regulations will be needed to set up the functional and security requirements for the online voting system.

Online voting is not intended to replace paper voting but provide another option for voters.

A promotional campaign will run if it does take place.

ENDS

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