New system for 2010 council elections

Hamilton City Council has adopted a new system for listing candidates on voting papers, ahead of the local body elections on 9 October 2010.

Councillors have decided to drop the traditional alphabetical order of candidates in favour of a “pseudo-random” system.

Under the pseudo-random system, candidates names are drawn “from a hat” then listed in that order on the voting paper.

The city’s Electoral Officer Anthony Dick said the pseudo-random system is widely considered to be fairer than the traditional alphabetical listing.

“This is the first time Hamilton City Council has adopted this pseudo-random system for listing candidates on the voting paper,” Mr Dick said.

“This new system is likely to be fairer, as research suggests candidates may have an advantage if they are at the top of the ballot when names are ordered alphabetically.”

Planning is well underway for the election. Nominations for people wanting to stand for Council will be accepted from 23 July to 20 August.

Voting papers are sent out on 17 September, and voting closes at noon on Saturday, 9 October.