Electoral Reform Coalition

STV is Spreading: Dunedin Voters Choose STV

Enthusiasm is spreading across the country for the Single Transferable Voting (STV) system, with the success of today’s Dunedin City referendum in which the majority of those who voted chose STV over first past the post (FPP).

"We're not surprised that Dunedin voters have joined with Wellington voters in choosing STV," said Lynne Serpe, national STV coordinator. "We were able to collect thousands more signatures than were needed to force the poll because there was such a strong feeling that STV was a fair and easy improvement on the current FPP.”

Dunedin STV coordinator Sam Huggard said, “We are hopeful that Christchurch, Nelson, Waipa, Carterton and Masterton will join Wellington and Dunedin this weekend and take this opportunity to achieve a much fairer system of electing their local officials.”

“With local body elections around the country hovering around the 50% voter turnout rate, the turnout in Dunedin shows that voters do want to be involved with such essential decisions as which voting system to use to elect their representatives,” said Ms. Serpe. “We congratulate all those voters who took the time to read their ballot papers and fill them in. It takes effort for democracy to continue to thrive.

There are an additional eight referenda coming up in the next seven weeks: Horowhenua District Council (16 April), Palmerston North City Council (2 May), South Wairarapa District Council (10 May), Napier City Council (17 May), Thames Coromandel District Council (20 May), Tasman District Council (21 May), Opotiki District Council (21 May) and Hutt City Council (21 May).

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