Postal voting for the 2016 local elections has opened and all completed voting papers must be returned to council by midday on 8 October.
As part of the Vote2016 campaign Saturday 1 October is being declared "Vote Day" and people are being encouraged to mark that date to send their completed papers.
Some of the main reasons people give for not voting are that they forgot, ran out of time or were too busy so to make sure people give themselves the best chance to have their say Rotorua Lakes Council is encouraging people to vote early on Vote Day.
That's a week out from the close of the polls.
If you're eligible to vote it's important you have a say in the selection of the people who will make decisions that affect your life on a daily basis.
Local government shapes the place that you live - it's the pavements you walk on, the roads you drive on, the water in your shower, the facilities and gardens in your parks, library services and the swimming pool where you take the kids.
