Voting numbers pass 30pc

More than 40 per cent of Wairoa residents have voted, with 2209 ballots counted. Photo / Paul Taylor

With only 11 days left until the close of the amalgamation referendum, almost 38,000 voters throughout Hawke's Bay have had their say on the issue, Electionz reports.

As of 3.53pm yesterday more than one-third of voters, or 34.04 per cent, had exercised their democratic right - with voting turnout strongest in the Wairoa and Napier districts.

Electoral officer Warwick Lampp said at this stage of the ballot, voting is where he expects it to be.

"I am expecting about 60 per cent of people to vote," he said.

"For council elections we generally see a 50 to 60 per cent turn out, so it's about normal."

Breaking down the figures by district, more than 40 per cent of Wairoa residents have voted, with 2209 ballots counted.

With 16,682 votes the Napier district, too, is hovering around the 40 per cent mark, followed by Central Hawke's Bay at 3510 or 36.41 per cent.

The Hastings district, which has the highest number of registered voters, is trailing in the tally with only 15,347 out of a possible 53,067 people having cast their vote, or 28.92 per cent. Voting in the Rangitikei district has picked up with 25 per cent of voters making their voices heard.

•If you are eligible to vote and have not received papers, phone 0800 666 033.

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