Electors are taking thier time to vote

Palmerston North people are continuing to take their time to return their voting papers in this year’s local authority elections.


With only four days to go nearly 29 percent (15,081) of the 52, 410 electors had returned their papers compared to about 36 percent at a similar time in 2004.


While the response has been slow, Electoral Officer, John Annabell, says there’s still time for people to read the candidate profile booklets which are included with the voting papers and then decide on which City Council, Horizons Regional Council and MidCentral District Health Board candidates to support.


However he says that after tomorrow (Thursday) people should deliver their voting papers to the City Council to ensure they are received in time. Voting ends at 12 noon on Saturday.


If people have mislaid their voting papers they can lodge a special vote at the City Council’s Customer Service Centre between 8-5pm Thursday and Friday or from 8-12 noon on Saturday.


John recommends that people who have yet to vote should read the instructions carefully. The voting system for the City Council and Horizons is FPP (first past the post) however the District Health Board uses STV (single transferable vote) where voters are required to list the candidates in order of preference.


“In the remaining days people can post the voting papers in the prepaid voting envelope provided or they can deliver their papers to the Council’s Customer Service Centre or drop them into an after hours box available by the civic steps,” John says.


John Annabell intends to announce the progress results at about 5pm on Saturday, October 13, in the Council Chambers.


People with any inquiries or who are unclear about the voting papers should contact the Council’s Customer Service Centre.