Far North voters urged to buck national trend
There's one week left until voting closes, but the number of votes cast in the Far North is tracking well below rates recorded at the same time during the last two elections in 2019 and 2016.
Far North electors are being urged to make sure their voting papers are completed and returned in time to meet the local election midday deadline on Saturday 8 October.
With one week left until voting closes, the number of votes cast in the Far North is tracking well below rates recorded at the same time during the last two elections in 2019 and 2016. Nationwide, many councils are also reporting record low returns.
Far North District Council Manager – District Administration, Caroline Wilson, is urging Far North voters to buck this national trend. “As of Thursday 29 October, 5979 votes had been cast, that’s just 12.6 per cent of our enrolled voters, but there is still time to turn this around and for people to get their votes in. The best way for council to reflect the diversity of our Far North communities is for people from throughout the district to return their vote and have their say about who represents them on council.”
Ms Wilson says voters who have not received their voting packs, or who are not enrolled, can still have their say by casting a special vote. “This is an easy process designed to ensure that anyone who wants to vote is able to.”
Those casting a special vote can do so at Kaitāia, Kaikohe or Kerikeri service centres. Those not enrolled to vote, or who need to update their voting details can do so by going to vote.co.nz before casting their special vote.
For voters living remotely, an election van and mobile ballot box is touring the Far North collecting completed voting papers. A timetable of where the van will be and when, is available here.
On the final day of voting (Saturday 8 October), ballot boxes will be open until midday at the council’s Kaitāia, Kaikohe and Kerikeri service centres.
Information about candidates is available here. Click on the ‘Candidate profiles’ drop down menu to select a candidate by name.
Voting Daily Returns are being updated every day during the election period on the council’s website. To find them go here, then click the drop-down menu titled ‘Number of votes cast and final results’.