Local body elections  |  18 Sep 2019

Voting papers for Christchurch’s local body elections should start turning up in people’s letterboxes from this Friday.

Each enrolled voter in Christchurch will receive a voting form, a candidate profile booklet, and a pre-paid return envelope.

“There is a lot of choice for voters this year, with 13 candidates for Mayor and a contest for every Council seat,’’ says Christchurch City Council Electoral Officer Jo Daly.

“At the last election in 2016 several candidates were elected unopposed to the Council and Community Boards, and less than 40 per cent of eligible Christchurch voters took part in the election.

“We want to see a higher turn-out this year and are encouraging all eligible voters to take the time to find out who is standing in their area and to cast a vote.

“You will find information about who is standing in your voting pack but the free mobile app Celect is another great way to learn about who is standing. The app lets you browse candidate profiles and shortlist your favourite candidates.

Once you have received your voting papers and decided whom you want to vote for, you should complete your voting form, put it in the return postage-paid envelope, and post it.

To make sure your vote arrives before voting closes at noon on Saturday 12 October, post it by 5pm on Tuesday 8 October.

Completed voting documents can also be delivered to the Christchurch City Council Civic Offices at 53 Hereford Street, or any open Council library or service centre, until noon on Saturday 12 October.

“If your voting papers haven’t arrived by Wednesday 25 September, you’ll need to get in touch with us and arrange to cast a special vote,’’ says Ms Daly.

Read more about special voting here.

The Electoral Officer can be reached on 03 941 8581 or at elections2019@ccc.govt.nz

Visit ccc.govt.nz/elections for more.