With just two days to go until voting ends for the Auckland Council, the final turnout is heading towards the 37.3 per cent return recorded in 2007 across the region.
By yesterday, 26.13 per cent of postal voting papers had been returned, compared with 39.4 per cent on the same day in 2010.
Three years ago, voters had the novelty of the first ballot for the new Super City and a spirited mayoral contest between Manukau mayor Len Brown and Auckland City mayor John Banks.
The final return was 50.5 per cent, well up on the 37.3 per cent figure in 2007.
This year's election has been thrown off track by the America's Cup and a limp mayoral contest between Mr Brown and right-wing rival John Palino.