An award-winning Rotorua-based app development company Salt + Tonic have released its voter engagement solution to the public, enabling all local district councils to bring a future-focused and technology driven solution to voter engagement to their communities, reducing the limited reach and environmental impact of traditional campaigning.

Founder Matt Browning says, ‘For several election cycles, it’s been frustrating and challenging to see the lack of voter engagement, particularly amongst young people, one of the most under-represented groups in local body politics. Reading endless mailbox pamphlet drops isn’t the way to connect with people who are constantly on the move and rely on their smartphones to stay digitally connected to what matters in the world around them.”

When local district councils choose to set up the app for their region, EngageMe provides the opportunity for locals of any age, interests or concerns to explore, research and ask questions of candidates directly, providing more transparent feedback than waiting for a local forum or meet and greet. Candidates can answer questions directly and anyone in the community can see their answers. Searchable by candidate or by topic, it’s providing a dramatic shift in the way voters can learn about their potential future representatives.

Rotorua Lakes Council have been one of the early adopters of the platform, branding their local version (s)elect.

“Rotorua Lakes Council are delighted to launch the [s]elect app for the upcoming local election. We know that a lack of knowledge about candidates, what they stand for and their policies is a big factor in why people don’t vote. We also know that younger people make up a big proportion of non-voters. Apps are familiar territory, and the [s]elect app makes it really easy to view relevant candidates, and to ask them questions that will help in their voting decision. It’s a great tool for candidates too, giving them another platform to let people know what they stand for, and to engage directly with voters. We are hopeful that this will help shift the dial to increase voter turnout,” said Catherine Rose, Marketing Advisor - Kaitohu Whakatairanga, Rotorua Lakes Council.

With voter turnout at the lowest since 1989, 2019 showed some new tactics were required to make engagement with local body politics accessible for the broadest possible group. The EngageMe team are on a mission to help every local district council provide digital access to candidate information and interactions at the click of a button.

The app has been especially designed to maintain objectivity, safety and security with users only needing to create an account if they wish to ask a question and all questions to candidates being moderated for hate speech, misuse and security. Moderation services can be provided through an independent third party.

“It’s also exciting from a broader perspective - we’d love to see all New Zealanders engaged with their community representation, whether it’s a school board election, local or central government. We’re passionate about seeing good use of technology to connect voters but we’re also passionate about the outcomes because when Kiwis are engaged and informed, they turn out to the polls and that’s how we all help our democracy thrive,” says EngageMe Strategy Director Tash McGIll. ‘Ultimately, we want good outcomes for our communities and our neighbourhoods — and billboards no longer do the job. People want to know who they’re voting for and what they stand for, they want to know their vote will make a difference.”

EngageMe is available for all district councils and local body democracy teams to initiate for their regions now. The public can also visit EngageMe.nz to see if their region is available and ask their local democracy team to stand it up.

© Scoop Media