News Release 
Tuesday 1 October 2013

Local people urged to vote

Rotorua District Council is urging local people to exercise their right to vote to help achieve the most democratic result possible in this month’s local election.

RDC Corporate & Customer Services group manager, Jean-Paul Gaston, said less than half of Rotorua’s eligible residents voted in the previous local election, and current voting at 16 per cent of voting papers returned appear to be showing a similar trend.

“The voter return in the 2010 election was a very disappointing 43 per cent, which sparked intense local debate about people’s apathy when it comes to voting. Yet currently we’re only 1 per cent ahead of the 2010 statistics which isn’t very reassuring or a true reflection of local people’s interest in our city.

“Local elections are about residents playing a direct role in decision-making for the future of our local community. While all candidates have the community’s best interests at heart, if people don’t vote then decisions that they make may not support the community’s values and priorities.

“I strongly encourage all eligible voters to make their vote count. Even those have not yet enrolled still have time to do so, however, they will then need to contact the council in order to make a special vote.”

Voting papers should be posted before Wednesday 9 October. After that date people should take their voting papers into the council Civic Centre to ensure their votes are received on time and eligible for count.

Completed voting papers must be received before 12 noon on Saturday 12 October.

Local people can track the progress of local election statistics on the Rotorua District Council website rdc.govt.nz

ENDS

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