KEY POINTS:
It might be harsh to suggest English rugby referee Wayne Barnes is responsible for the low turnout for this weekend's local body elections, but someone has to carry the can.
The Rugby World Cup has been cited as one distraction that has caused low voting returns just three days out from the elections, and it could be that Barnes' performance has had an electoral impact here.
The ref shouldn't be blamed for the loss, but there's anecdotal evidence to suggest some fans are so consumed by the loss, they just can't find the enthusiasm to vote.
There's no evidence that some fans screwed up their voting forms and threw them away but it could have happened.
With three days before votes are counted, the number of forms received by returning officers is way down on three years ago - and it's a trend throughout the country.
Newspapers this week have had a low electors' turnout theme. "Hamilton, you should be ashamed," headlined the Waikato Times, reporting that just 19.8 per cent of eligible voters in the city had bothered to return their papers by Monday.
In 2004, the voter turnout was 47 per cent, but the latest figures indicate that only about a quarter of voters have posted their forms in.
What's caused the apathy? Or is it apathy?
Retiring Manukau mayor Sir Barry Curtis said today that when there was general satisfaction in a community, people ignored their democratic right to vote.
That might be the case in Sir Barry's electorate, where he has led what is widely regarded as one of the best performing councils for the past eight terms.
But some councils have been basket cases and still the turnout is low.
In any case, contentment ought to be a motivation to vote, a Herald editorial wrote last week. "Good councils can be weakened by a careless electorate," it opined.
Others have put the turnout down to straight apathy, with various reasons for it.
The seven-week campaign has been a turn-off. Just too long, say some. Election issues of rates, roading and transport are a bore to many, particularly younger voters.
The school holidays have occurred during the election campaign as well as the World Cup. And local government isn't viewed as sexy; it's a low priority for many people.
In many cases, mayoral contests have failed to excite. In the southern cities, Tim Shadbolt (Invercargill) and Peter Chin (Dunedin) look set to extend their terms. A local poll late last month gave Mr Chin 72 per cent of first preference votes - a poll that could itself diminish voter interest.
A Christchurch Star poll last week gave former television personality Bob Parker 41 per cent support for the Christchurch mayoralty. Megan Woods was second with 14 per cent. Among the issues that have sparked debate is the departing council's decision for a $100 million new council headquarters.
In Wellington, incumbent Kerry Prendergast's stance in using some council funds to help bring soccer superstar David Beckham to the capital will be among issues on which she is tested.
She has 10 challengers, among them Ray Ahipene-Mercer, Bryan Pepperell, Helene Ritchie and John McGrath.
There have been plenty of fireworks in Auckland, where former mayor and cabinet minister John Banks looms as the main challenger to current mayor Dick Hubbard.
Much of the battle between the two seems to be over who has had the worse mayoral stint. Mr Banks led Mr Hubbard by 8.5 points in a Herald-DigiPoll survey last month.
Waitakere has a high-profile contest, with incumbent Bob Harvey opposed by former MP John Tamihere, among others. Mr Tamihere has not let the election ruin the romance in his life. He married long-term partner Awerangi Durie last week.
With Sir Barry retiring in Manukau, former politicians Willie Jackson and Arthur Anae, former athlete Dick Quax and prominent local body politician and former television personality Craig Little are among the 11 vying to succeed him.
In Wanganui, Mayor Michael Laws, who originally wasn't going to re-run, is opposed by four others. A poll late last month gave Mr Laws a sizeable lead. It should be pointed out the poll was commissioned by Mr Laws.
The Rugby World Cup has also drawn out some interesting election campaigns. Former All Black and Christchurch City Council aspirant Grahame Thorne, Wellington City Council hopeful Robert Armstrong and Queenstown mayoral candidate Phil Dunstan all headed over to France for the rugby.
Voters may have already adjudicated on their commitment and now their judgment, at least rugby-wise, looks suspect.
The most tragic moment of the election campaign has been the death of Christchurch city councillor Graham Condon, the Paralympian who was hit by a car while training on his bike early last month.
His family have urged people not to vote for him as the votes will be treated as void.
In Timaru, council candidate Karen Collings has had publicity of an unwelcome kind after she was arrested and charged with urinating in the gutter outside a hotel.
But Ms Collings, who says she has suffered from a bladder condition for years, may win some sympathy from Timaru voters. The hotel was in Dunedin.
- NZPA
