Hawke’s Bay poll process update

What has happened to date?

• On 9 June the Local Government Commission issued a final reorganisation proposal for Hawke’s Bay proposing a single council for the region to replace the existing five councils
• On 11 June a petition was received demanding a poll on the proposal signed by more than the required 10% of affected electors in Rangitikei District (as validated by the electoral officer for Rangitikei District)
• On 18 June the Local Government Commission notified the affected councils and Hawke’s Bay media that it had set 15 September 2015 as polling day for the proposal i.e. the end of a three-week postal voting period
• On 22 June the first public notice was published notifying the public of the poll and poll date; that the electoral rolls to be used at the poll were open for inspection; and of the process for updating residential and non-residential ratepayer rolls

What are the next steps?

• On 20 July the electoral rolls close and will then be printed for use at the poll
(residents and non-resident ratepayers qualified to vote but are not on the roll can still apply up to 14 September to be on the roll and will be issued a special vote)
• On 22 July a further public notice is published confirming arrangements for the poll including arrangements for special votes
• On 24 August delivery of voting packs starts to those on the printed electoral roll with the last date for delivery being 29 August
• On 24 August the voting period begins and votes are progressively processed as they are received (but are not allowed to be counted)
• On 15 September (at midday) the voting period ends
• On 15 September (in the afternoon or evening) a preliminary result is announced
• On 18 September (or before) the official result is declared after all special votes have been validated and counted

ENDS

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