19 September 2019

South Wairarapa District voters will be able to cast their votes in the 2019 local council elections from tomorrow (Friday 20 September).

Voting papers started to be mailed to registered voters yesterday and so voters should start to receive their papers from tomorrow, with all papers expected to be delivered by Wednesday 25 September. People who have not received their voting papers by then should contact Council on 06 306 9611.

Voting papers must be completed and returned by midday on Election Day, 12 October 2019. Council staff advise voters to consider Saturday 5 October as ‘Voting Day’ and post your vote then to ensure it is received in time. NZ Post cannot guarantee delivery in time for voting papers posted after Tuesday 8 October.

If you miss the last postal date, you can hand deliver your voting papers at Council offices at 19 Kitchener St, Martinborough, by midday Saturday 12 October.

Local council elections use the First Past the Post (FPP) voting system. Voters are required to put a tick alongside the candidate(s) they wish to vote for. Note that, in your voting pack, you will also receive your District Health Board voting papers which use the Single Transferable Voting (STV) system to elect board members. Voting papers will contain clear instructions on how to vote.

South Wairarapa District Electoral Officer Warwick Lampp says, “People should read their papers carefully before casting their vote to ensure they are using the right voting method.

“Although electoral rolls have now closed, people can still enrol to vote. However, they will need to request special voting papers”

“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 South Wairarapa is run over the next three years,” Warwick Lampp says.

Enrolment forms and information are available from vote.nz/enrol-to-vote

In 2016 South Wairarapa recorded a 56.3% percent voter turnout. Local Government New Zealand’s Vote 2019 campaign and efforts of South Wairarapa District Council aims to lift nationwide voter turnout in local elections and increase people’s engagement with their local council.

ENDS

For more information, visit swdc.testserver.co.nz/local-body-elections-2019 or call Council on 06 396 9611.

For media enquiries, please contact Amy Wharram on 027 252 2863.