28 September 2004

Aucklanders drag their feet to post their votes

Despite more than 9000 Auckland city electors posting their votes back for the local council elections over the weekend, the total number of people voting up to today is 54,632, just 20.3 per cent of all eligible voters.

Auckland City electoral officer Dale Ofsoske says the number of people voting to date is similar to the corresponding period at the last election.

“The final voter turn out last time was a very low 43 per cent. This is nothing for Aucklanders to be proud of. I urge people to vote in these elections and have their say about who runs their city for the next three years,” said Mr Ofsoske.

Instructions on how to vote and information about the candidates are included in the voting documents.

“People should remember that this is a postal vote. They shouldn’t expect to turn up at their local school or community centre polling booth on Saturday 9 October, because there won’t be any polling booths.

“Voters should complete their voting documents and post them back by 7 October so they arrive with us before voting closes at noon on 9 October,” said Mr Ofsoske.

A total of 270,000 voting packs for the local council, local community board, regional council and local district health board elections were posted on Friday, 17 September.

The most eager voters in Auckland city so far are from Great Barrier, where 30 per cent had returned their forms by today, followed by Waiheke (27.8 per cent) and Eastern Bays (25.3 per cent).

Electors in Auckland city who have not yet received voting documents should telephone Auckland City on (09) 379 2023.

Statistics showing the number of people voting by community board area, are updated daily each week day and available at: www.aucklandcity.govt.nz

ENDS

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