Vote in the 2013 Christchurch local body elections.

A record number of votes are coming in for Christchurch’s next Mayor, Councillors and Community Board Members in the 2013 local body elections – and those who have not yet received their voting papers are being asked to check their details as soon as possible.

As of Wednesday 25 September, a total of 16,735 votes have been processed, meaning 6.93 per cent of the population eligible to vote has done so. This is comparable with 3.63 per cent at the five-day mark in the 2010 elections, 5.70 per cent in 2007 and 6.75 per cent in 2004.

Electoral Officer Clare Sullivan says that although the figures are encouraging, they don’t necessarily point to a big final tally.

“Votes came in slowly in the 2010 elections because of the aftermath of the September earthquake, but we ended up with a record 51.67 per cent turnout,” she says. “On the other hand, votes came in quickly in 2004, but petered out at 38.77 per cent. We’re hoping for big numbers this year, and we have every reason to believe we’ll get them, but we can’t take anything for granted. The bigger the turnout, the more engaged the voting population, and that’s important to any community.”

Updated figures are available daily at www.ccc.govt.nz/elections.

Electoral Officer Clare Sullivan says that with voting forms now sent to all electors in the city, those who have not yet received their forms need to take action if they want their voice heard in the 2013 local body elections.

“If your papers haven’t turned up by Thursday 26 September, you’re either not enrolled or your details are out of date, and you’ll need to make a special vote. If you’re over 18 and a New Zealand citizen, you deserve to have a say in who represents you, and this is your first chance in three years to exercise that right.”

People are able to enrol to vote in the 2013 elections up until Friday 11 October but, along with people who did not enrol before 16 August or have not updated their details, will have to cast a special vote and must contact the Christchurch elections hotline on 0508 440 017. Special voting facilities will be available at:

· Civic Offices, Ground Floor, 53 Hereford Street.

· Shirley Service Centre, 36 Marshland Road.

· Akaroa Service Centre, 28 Rue Jolie, Akaroa Recreation Ground.

Votes should be returned by Wednesday 9 October if they are to count towards the preliminary result declared on election day, Saturday 12 October.

To read candidates’ profile statements, please visit www.ccc.govt.nz/candidates

For more information about the elections, phone 0508 440 017 or visit www.ccc.govt.nz/elections

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