Voting papers for 2010 election should be posted by next Wednesday

Electoral Officer Clare Sullivan is encouraging people to put their voting papers for the Christchurch City Council election in the post by next Wednesday 6 October.

People have just one week to go to post their voting papers if they are to be received in time for the close of voting at 12 noon on Saturday 9 October. Voting papers should be returned in the orange Freepost envelope provided.

Anyone who does not post their voting papers by next Wednesday 6 October is encouraged to drop them into the Civic Offices, 53 Hereford St, or a Council Service Centre before the close of voting.

Voting papers for the Council election were sent out on Friday 17 September. All Christchurch and Banks Peninsula residents who are enrolled to vote should have received their voting papers by now. People who have not yet received their voting papers should contact the Council Call Centre on 941 8999.

People whose homes or letterboxes have been affected by the recent earthquake and are unable to receive their voting papers are able to cast a special vote at the Civic Offices or Shirley Service Centre, 36 Marshland Road. Voting papers are available at both locations.

Ms Sullivan says voting is simple to do. Instructions on how to vote are included with all voting papers.

She is encouraging all people over 18 years old who are eligible to vote to do so. People are able to enrol to vote up until Friday 8 October but, along with people who did not enrol before 20 August, they will have to cast a special vote.

“By voting every three years, people are able to have their say about who they want to make decisions about the future of many of the city’s services on their behalf,” Ms Sullivan says.

For more information about how to vote or the upcoming election, visit www.elections.org.nz or www.ccc.govt.nz/election

A daily update on the number of voting papers that have been returned across the city is available at: http://www.ccc.govt.nz/thecouncil/howthecouncilworks/councilelections/index.aspx