The Electoral Roll for the Visitor Levy Referendum closes at noon on Tuesday, 9 April, and people need to be enrolled to ensure they can vote and have their say on this significant issue for our district’s future.

On 7 March, Queenstown Lakes District Mayor Jim Boult announced that the Council would be holding a non-binding referendum on a proposed Visitor Levy to help fund visitor-related infrastructure and services.

In order to participate in the referendum, which is being conducted under the Local Electoral Act, people need to be enrolled on the Electoral Roll. Everyone who is on the Electoral Roll will receive a voting paper for the referendum in the mail between 14-19 May.

QLDC Electoral Officer Jane Robertson said that residents who have lived in the district for four weeks or more can enrol on the residential Electoral Roll.

“You are eligible to enrol to vote if you are a New Zealand citizen or a permanent resident. This part of the Electoral Role is administered by the Electoral Commission and updates can be made via www.elections.org.nz,” said Ms Robertson.

People who own property in the district but live elsewhere can enrol and vote on the Ratepayer Roll. This part of the Electoral Roll is administered by the Council and enrolment forms are available on the QLDC website (https://www.qldc.govt.nz/your-council/elected-members/elections/).

Ms Robertson added that after the Electoral Roll closes, people who are eligible to vote but who are not on the Roll will have to make a Special Vote.

“The important and imminent date for people to remember is noon on Tuesday 9 April. That’s when the Electoral Roll closes.”

Note that this is the Electoral Roll for the Visitor Levy Referendum only. A new Electoral Roll will be prepared for the triennial election in October 2019.

© Scoop Media