Auckland mayoral candidates (L-R) Victoria Crone, Mark Thomas, Chloe Swarbrick and Phil Goff. Photo / Nick Reed
Auckland mayoral candidates (L-R) Victoria Crone, Mark Thomas, Chloe Swarbrick and Phil Goff. Photo / Nick Reed
Another low voter turnout at the local body elections has renewed calls for online voting and a dedicated voting day.
Latest figures show just 19.88 per cent of votes have been returned in Auckland, with some areas as low as 16.3 per cent.
On these figures, Auckland is tracking for a 40 per cent turnout, better than the 35.5 per cent figure in 2013 but down on 51 per cent in 2010.
With just four days until voting closes at midday on Saturday, people are being urged to vote. Voting papers need to be in the mail by Wednesday to meet Saturday's deadline.
Auckland Electoral Officer Dale Ofsoske says the solution to increasing turnout, particularly among young people, is online voting in conjunction with postal voting.
"We are trying to re-engage with young people and that is what they use. Everything is electronic," he said.
City Vision, a ticket of left-leaning candidates, wants a total review of voting, including another look at electronic voting and a focused election day.
Eight councils put up their hand to trial online voting at the 2016 elections, but the initiative was canned by the Government in April because of security issues.
At the time, Associate Local Government Minister Louise Upston said: "Given real concerns about security and vote integrity, it is too early for a trial."
Last night, Upston said the local government sector was looking at options for online voting in future and she would consider their response.
Upston is not opposed to online voting in principle but did not agree with the view it would improve participation levels, even among young people.
Turnout was affected by factors such as the complexity of different voting systems and high-profile mayoral campaigns, she said.
"The online voting trial was never about increasing participation," Upston said.
Mayoral candidate Chloe Swarbrick said postal ballots are "truly a ludicrous system" that lock out non-homeowners and transient populations, who are typically younger and poorer.
Swarbrick would like to see online voting and, at the very least, a dedicated voting day. javascript: void(0); City Vision councillor Cathy Casey was concerned at the number of voters who claimed they had not received their voting papers and now have to cast "special votes" in person at a limited number of locations.
Victoria Gaskell, who flats with four other people in Grey Lynn, said only one of her flatmates received voting papers and that was through his parents.
The 27-year-old high school teacher has faced an arduous process. She was late changing addresses and was told her voting papers would have gone to her last listed address in New Plymouth.
"I feel like the system is antiquated and needs changing so the voice of my generation can be heard. Lots of us move around for university and jobs so there needs to be a way that won't limit our voting power," Gaskell said.
Ofsoske said there had been a lot of cases of people not receiving voting papers, often because they were not on the electoral roll or had moved and not formally changed their address.
Interactive
How to vote in the last week
Voting closes at midday on Saturday. Votes received after this date will not be counted
Voting papers need to be the mail by Wednesday to meet the Saturday deadline.
Can I drop my papers off if I miss the Wednesday deadline?
If you do not post your voting papers by Wednesday you can drop them off at a local library or one of the following council service centres:
Birkenhead Library - Nell Fisher Reserve, Hinemoa St, Birkenhead. Glen Eden Library - 12-32 Glendale Rd, Glen Eden. Howick Library - 25 Uxbridge Rd, Howick. Kumeu Library - 296 Main Rd, Huapai. Warkworth Library - 2 Baxter St, Warkworth. Great Barrier Service Centre - Hector Sanderson Rd, Claris, Great Barrier. Henderson Service Centre - 6 Henderson Valley Rd, Henderson. Manukau Service Centre - 4 Osterley Way, Manukau. Orewa Service Centre - 50 Centreway Rd, Orewa. Papakura Service Centre - 35 Coles Crescent, Papakura. Pukekohe Service Centre - 82 Manukau Rd, Pukekohe. Takapuna Service Centre - 1 The Strand, Takapuna Waiheke Service Centre - 10 Belgium St, Waiheke. Electoral Office, Independent Election Services - Level 3, Customer House, 50 Anzac Avenue, Auckland.
What if I'm not enrolled or haven't received my papers?
If you are not on the Final Electoral Roll or have not received a voting paper, you can still vote if you enrol by 4pm on Friday and register for a special vote.
Visit elections.org.nz to enrol, update or check your details.
Enrolled voters who have not received their voting papers can call 0800 922 822 to arrange a special vote. You can also free text your name and address to 3676 to receive an enrolement form.
Voting so far
19.88% - Voter turnout up until Monday. 17.6% - Voter turnout for same period in 2013. 26.9% - Voter turnout for same period in 2013.
51% - Final voter turnout in 2010. 35.5% - Final voter turnout in 2013. 40.1% - Projected final voter turnout in 2016.
Top 5 Local Board area votes to date: Great Barrier 38.5% Waiheke 32% Rodney (Warkworth subdivision) 30.2% Rodney (Wellsford subdivision) 26.2% Orakei 24.5%
Bottom 5 Local Board area votes to date: Manurewa 16.3% Henderson-Massey 16.8% Kaipatiki 17.3% Otara-Papatoetoe (Otara subdivision) 17.3% Upper Harbour 17.7%
