Voting - a users guide

What are local authority elections?

Elections are held every three years to decide who will represent citizens on local authorities throughout the country.

In Christchurch there will be voting for a Mayor and members of the City Council, Community Boards, the Canterbury District Health District and the Canterbury Regional Council.

How do I get my voting papers?

Most voting papers will be delivered no later than Wednesday, 26 September. If you have not received papers by then, ring the Election Office on 941 8888.

How do I vote?

Voting papers have detailed instructions included with them.

To vote, tick the circle next to the name of the person(s) you want to vote for. After doing that, fold the paper and put the voting paper in the envelope provided, with the Electoral Officer’s return address showing through the window of the return envelope.

Do not put other people’s voting papers in your envelope.

Seal the envelope and post or deliver it to the Electoral Officer. You do not have to use a stamp, as postage is free.

How many people should I vote for?

You can vote for one person to be Mayor.

For City Councillors you can vote for a maximum of two candidates. However, you can vote for fewer than the maximum number if you wish to.

You vote only for people who are standing in the same ward in which you live.

Your voting paper will show only the names of those people you can vote for.

Voting for the community boards, the regional council, and the health board is done in the same manner. The voting papers will have instructions about voting and you don’t have to vote for the maximum number if you don’t want to.

When do I have to vote?

Completed voting papers must be posted or delivered in time for them to reach the Electoral Officer no later than 12 noon on polling day, Saturday 13 October. Voting papers that are received late will not be counted.

What is a special vote?

If voting papers are lost or spoilt, or they have not been received, or you have become eligible to vote after the electoral roll closed, you may be able to make a special vote.

Special votes can be made from Friday 21 September to noon Saturday 13 October at the Civic Offices, 163 Tuam Street.

Special votes can also be posted to applicants but all special votes require the completion of a statutory declaration, which is a legal requirement as protection for electors against possible duplicate voting. Anyone needing special voting papers should ring the Council on 941 8888 and ask for special votes.

Can someone else vote for me?

No, a vote is personal to one person and that person should decide how to vote. It is against the law for anyone to tell anyone else who to vote for or not to vote for.

However, if anyone is physically impaired, unable to read or write or unfamiliar with the English language, then they can ask another person to help them to mark the voting paper.

What do I do if my papers haven’t arrived?

If voting papers have not been received by Wednesday 26 September contact the Election Office on 941 8888.

How do I find out the results?

Results will be broadcast on radio, television and in newspapers following 13 October. On election night, the City Council’s web site (www.ccc.govt.nz) will have up-to-date results from about 5pm, when vote counting is expected to be finished.

Need more information?
The Election Office can answer any questions on 941 8888 or fax 941 6201 or email: Max.Robertson@ccc.govt.nz.

Related Information
Elections 2001 ~ Voting - a users guide ~ Christchurch Community Boards Map