Mobile ballot box to help reduce voting barriers
Have you completed your local election voting papers but are finding it difficult to access a post box? The Far North District Council’s mobile ballot box could be the solution.
Have you completed your local election voting papers but are finding it difficult to access a post box? The Far North District Council’s mobile ballot box could be the solution.
The council’s election van and mobile ballot box will be visiting 16 communities across the Far North, beginning at Kohukohu on Tuesday 27 September. Each day the election van will visit up to three small or remote Far North communities, part of efforts to reduce barriers to voting.
The election van will continue its tour over the next two weeks, visiting far Far North communities like Te Kao and Pukenui before heading to North Hokianga, Doubtless Bay, Tōwai and Russell. For exact locations and times, go to the Mobile ballot box page on the FNDC website.
A running total of votes received so far show that completed votes are trailing behind numbers recorded at the same time during past elections. As of Friday 23 September, just 1.6 per cent of votes had been returned. In 2016, that figure stood at 10.2 per cent, while 2.8 per cent had been returned at the same point in 2019. You can get daily updates on the number of votes received by clicking on the Number of votes cast and final results tab on the FNDC website Local elections page.
Electors are reminded that completed ballots should be in the post by Tuesday 4 October to ensure votes are received before the election closes at midday on Saturday 8 October. Completed voting papers can also be placed in secure ballot boxes located at council service centres during business hours.
On Saturday 8 October, the final day of voting, ballot boxes will be available at Te Ahu in Kaitāia, the John Butler Centre in Kerikeri and the council’s Kaikohe headquarters on Memorial Avenue.
Anyone enrolled to vote in the local body elections should have now received voting packs in the mail. Electors who have not received voting packs should contact Election Services on 0800 922 822.
Voters not yet enrolled can still have their say by casting a special vote. To cast a special vote, you must update your details with the Electoral Commission at vote.nz by 5pm Friday 7 October. Special votes can be cast at the council’s Kaitāia, Kerikeri or Kaikohe service centres between 16 September and the close of voting on 8 October at midday.