45,000 local election voting papers arriving in letterboxes from Saturday

ROTORUA 15.09.10: More than 45,000 local election voting papers will begin arriving in the letterboxes of registered Rotorua voters this weekend and next week.

The huge mailout begins progressively on Friday (17 September) and is expected to be complete by the end of next week.

Voters then have until Election Day, Saturday 9 October, to fill in their voting papers and post them back in supplied freepost envelopes, or return them in person to Rotorua District Council or City Focus. However papers must reach the council before 12 noon on 9 October to be included in the vote count.

Rotorua District Council chief executive Peter Guerin is urging all voters to take their voting obligation seriously and use the opportunity to vote for people they want to represent them on the district council, regional council and district health board over the next three years.

“For the last local election in 2007, only 45% of eligible Rotorua voters bothered to cast a vote, down 4% on the previous election. I’m hoping this year people will demonstrate they really understand the importance of having a say, and will get their voting papers completed and returned in time.

“The varied and far reaching work of district and regional councils, and DHBs, has a vital and direct impact on the lives of local communities. So it’s really important that people carefully consider who they think would do a good governance job on these bodies, and cast their vote accordingly,” said Mr Guerin.

Rotorua Electoral Officer Peter Christophers said Rotorua residents have the chance to vote for Rotorua District Council’s mayor and up to 12 councillors.

“This time there are no wards for Rotorua District Council so everyone has the chance to have a say in selecting all 12 councillors. Twenty eight people are vying for the twelve places on the council and three are seeking the mayoral chains.

“However there will be no vote for the Lakes Community Board as four nominations were received for the four available places and therefore those candidates are already elected.

“Rotorua voters are also able to cast votes for their constituency councillors on the Bay of Plenty Regional Council and for seven Lakes District Health Board members.”

Mr Christophers pointed out that people who do not receive their voting papers by the end of next week, or lose or destroy their papers, and those who are eligible to vote but have not registered, can arrange to have a special vote.

“Special voting is in Committee Room 2 at the Rotorua District Council Civic Centre in Haupapa St and is available during office hours (8am – 5pm) from Friday this week (17 September) right up until 12 noon on Election Day, 9 October.

Mr Christophers said that he expected to have an election progress result available soon after polling closes at noon on Saturday 9 October, with a further preliminary result available later in the day. The results will be posted online on the council website rdc.govt.nz and at the main entrance of the RDC Civic Centre.

He also added his weight to the call for Rotorua residents to make the effort to vote this year.

“It’s a democratic right we’re fortunate to have in this country one we should take seriously. The future of local councils and DHBs for the next three years is in the hands of local residents.

“I’m looking forward to a much better voting turnout this year; hopefully one that demonstrates our community wants to have a say in Rotorua’s future direction.”

ENDS

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