Local body elections: What to do if your voting pack doesn't arrive in the mail
Friday, 20 September 2019
Local body election voting opens this Friday, and all enrolled Aucklanders can expect their voting papers to arrive in the mail shortly.
These elections occur every three years and people across the nation vote for who should be their local board members, councillors and mayor.
However, if these voting papers don't arrive, are damaged, sent to an old address or if residents just completely forgot to enrol, it's still not too late to vote.
Special votes enable those unenrolled and/or without voting papers to still be counted.
**READ MORE:
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* Local body elections: Fewer than half of Aucklanders know who is running**
For this voting season, Auckland Council is running a One Stop Shop programme, making it easier than ever before to cast a special vote.
One Stop Shops provide Aucklanders with the means to enrol and vote on the day, all in one go.
One Stop Shops will be set up Westfield Mall in Manukau, Papakura Marae and the night markets in Henderson, Glenfield and Pakuranga for the duration of the election period.
The initiative is run in partnership with the Electoral Commission.
Democracy services' Marguerite Delbet said Aucklanders would be able to cast special votes at five Auckland libraries, nine council service centres or by phoning the electoral officer on 0800 922 822.
An assisted voting service for blind and low vision voters was also available.
Information about the election candidates was available via the Telephone Information Service, while Auckland-based Blind Foundation library subscribers would also receive a disc with candidate profiles on it.
Other people who could not cast a vote independently could also register for the assisted voting service by calling the electoral officer.
Times, dates and locations would be publicised on the elections website: voteauckland.co.nz.
People who are at least 18 years old, New Zealand citizens or permanent residents, and people who have lived in the country for at least a solid 12 months can vote or enrol to vote.
Voting opens on September 20 and progress results are released on October 12.
VOTE FRIDAY
Businesses and organisations are encouraged to sign up to Auckland Council's Vote Friday initiative.
Employers offer staff 30 minutes to fill out their voting papers October 4.
For more information email the Vote Friday team at votefriday@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz.
KEY ELECTION DATES
September 20 - Voting opens
October 4 - Vote Friday
October 8 - Last day to post voting papers (ballot boxes will still be open)
October 12 - Voting closes at midday
October 17 to October 23 - Official results announced.