Voting opens in 2022 local elections
Ōpōtiki voters will be able to cast their votes in the 2022 local council elections from Friday 16 September.
Voting papers are being mailed to registered voters this week, and most people will get their papers in the post in the coming days. All papers should be delivered by Wednesday 21 September. If you have not received your papers by then, please contact Council for instructions on how to enrol and place a special vote instead.
Voting papers must be received by the council before midday on Election Day, 8 October 2022. Please post them as soon as possible (allow up to a week for post ballots to arrive), 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 8 October 2022.
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 a question in the non-binding poll asking whether the Ōpōtiki District should have Māori wards in addition to the current wards. Voting papers will contain clear instructions on how to vote on this important topic. You can also read more about what this vote will mean and the representation review that will need to be completed in the coming year.
“People should read their papers carefully before casting their vote to ensure they understand how to vote for candidates and in the Māori Wards poll. Your pack will include a candidate profile book and important information on the poll in te reo and in English,” said Interim Ōpōtiki District Council Chief Executive, Miles McConway.
Voting closes at midday on 8 October. Although electoral rolls have now closed, people can still enrol to vote. However, they will need to request special voting papers.
“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,” Mr McConway said.
Information on enrolling is available at vote.nz or phone 0800 36 76 56. Further details on the Ōpōtiki District Council elections is available on the Council website odc.govt.nz/elections
