NEWS RELEASE
15 August 2008
STV vs FPP vote-off: knowledge is power
Wellingtonians are being urged to find out more about the Single Transferable Vote (STV) and First Past the Post (FPP)
electoral systems so they can choose the one they want for future Wellington City Council elections.
Wellington Electoral Officer Ross Bly says the City Council is holding a postal poll next month to determine which
electoral system will be used in the next two elections to elect the Mayor and City Councillors.
“In a nutshell STV, the electoral system currently in place, is where you rank candidates in your order of preference –
1, 2, 3 and so on - and FPP is where you place a tick beside your preferred candidates.
“We’ve got plenty of information available on the two systems so registered voters can read up, decide which they prefer
and then cast their vote.” Information on the two electoral systems is available on the Council’s website -
www.Wellington.govt.nz - or by calling the Council on 499 4444. A brochure on the pros and cons of FPP and STV will also
be delivered with voting papers.
The papers will be posted out to all Wellington City residents on the electoral roll on Friday 5 September. The results
will be announced three weeks later on Saturday 27 September.
The poll will be conducted using the FPP system and the result of the poll is binding on the Council for at least the
2010 and 2013 local authority elections. The poll is completely unrelated to the General Election being held later this
year.
ENDS