Voting opens in 2019 local elections

Ōpōtiki voters will be able to cast their votes in the 2019 local council elections from tomorrow Friday 20 September.

Voting papers are being mailed to registered voters and most folk will start receiving their papers tomorrow, with all papers expected to be delivered by Wednesday 25 September. People who have not received their papers by then should contact Council for instructions on how they can enrol and place a special vote instead.

Voting papers must be received by the council before midday on Election Day, 12 October 2019. Voters are encouraged to post them on or before October 5, or they can be dropped in to the ballot box at Council's office at 108 St John Street Ōpōtiki up until 12 noon on 12 October 2019.

The voting papers will use the first Past the Post (FPP) voting system. For the FPP system, voters are required to put a tick alongside the candidate(s) they wish to vote for.

In your voting pack, you will also receive your District Health Board papers which will use the STV voting system to elect its members. Voting papers will contain clear instructions on how to vote.

"People should read their papers carefully before casting their vote to ensure they are using the right voting method," says Ōpōtiki District Council CEO, Aileen Lawrie.

"Although electoral rolls have now closed, people can still enrol to vote. However, they will need to request special voting papers," Ms Lawrie says.

"Voting closes at midday on 12 October. I would encourage anyone who has not yet registered to do so and cast a special vote. It's their opportunity to have a say on how Ōpōtiki is run over the next three years."

Information on enrolling is available at vote.nz or phone 0800 36 76 56. Further details are available on our Elections page.