Generation Zero Launches Auckland By-Election Scorecards
Generation Zero have Monday
launched scorecards for council and local board candidates
in the Auckland By-Elections.
“Our aim is to get
more people voting in local elections, and to make an
informed choice. We need bold, courageous politicians who
will fight for our future. Our scorecards are designed to
help voters know who those candidates are.” Auckland
Campaign Lead Logan Elliott
The scores are reflections
of candidates’ commitments to issues broadly related to
climate change, based on their own statements provided to
Generation Zero. The scorecards are available at www.aucklandelections.co.nz
Generation Zero sees these scores as a way to
increase voter turnout, especially among young
people.
“We believe the biggest cause of low voter
turnout at local elections - more than apathy - is that
potential voters feel uninformed. That is particularly true
in these by-elections. These scorecards are our attempt to
change that”.
“They are a work in progress, and we
will continue to update the site as more candidates get back
to us.”
“They are a simplification of complex and
nuanced issues, but a necessary compromise to increase
engagement with local government for all New
Zealanders”.
Generation Zero works extensively on
issues such as transport and urban planning, where there are
opportunities to reduce carbon emissions.
“Local
Government is hugely important. Councils are able to
drastically reduce our carbon emissions and increase the
liveability of our cities by encouraging public and active
transport, and the building of sustainable, energy-efficient
homes and
workplaces.”
ENDS