In the next month or so, the City Council must decide if it wants to switch to a new voting system. The voters of Christchurch also will have a chance to have their say, through consultation and a possible poll.

The alternative voting method which the Government has said all local bodies must consider is called Single Transferable Voting (STV).

The Government has already decided that the STV electoral system will be used for the next District Health Board elections, in 2004.

There are three ways in which a change could come about which leads to STV voting being used for the 2004 local body elections — the Council decides to switch, the Council runs a poll and a majority of electors vote for the change, or Christchurch voters demand a poll and a majority vote for a change.

So, a decision about any change will be made by the voters or their elected representatives on the Council.

Reports in this issue of City Scene aim to give Christchurch voters information about the STV system, the process the Christchurch City Council will follow in deciding whether a change will be made, and how people can get involved in the issue.

To be able to prepare for a special meeting on the issue planned for 5 September, we’d like to hear your views by Friday, 23 August.

• On Page 3 there is a feedback form for readers who want to have an early say about the idea. Pop the form into an envelope and use the Freepost 178 number to send it back to us. You don’t need a stamp. The questionnaire is available online, through the Council’s website, at www.ccc.govt.nz/STV
• There is also a telephone hotline – 941 8888 – for people to call to register their support or opposition to a change to STV.