Night markets, marae and local malls are just some of the places Aucklanders will be able to enrol and vote at the same time, as part of Auckland Council’s One Stop Shop programme for this year’s local election.
General Manager Democracy Services Marguerite Delbet says the electoral roll is closed, so people who aren’t enrolled or not enrolled at their current address will need to cast a special vote.
“Dozens of One Stop Shops will pop up around Auckland throughout the election period, making it easier to cast a special vote than ever before.”
One Stop Shop locations will include Westfield Mall in Manukau, Papakura Marae and night markets in Henderson, Glenfield and Pakuranga. Times, dates and locations will be publicised on the elections website, voteauckland.co.nz.
The initiative is run in partnership with the Electoral Commission.
Ms Delbet says Aucklanders will also be able to cast special votes at five Auckland libraries, nine council service centres or by phoning the electoral officer on 0800 922 822.
“Voting papers will be mailed out from 20 September, but if for some reason your papers don’t arrive or your voting papers are damaged, you’ll need to cast a special vote.”
Auckland Council has also teamed up with the Blind Foundation to deliver an assisted voting service for blind and low vision voters.
Information about the election candidates will be available via the Telephone Information Service, while Auckland-based Blind Foundation library subscribers will also receive a disc with candidate profiles on it.
Mary Schnackenberg, from the Association of Blind Citizens of New Zealand, says people who need help filling out their voting papers can arrange a visit from a trained council volunteer.
She says the assisted voting service allows blind and low vision people to vote in secrecy, without being influenced by friends or family members.
“This is the nearest thing we've got to a secret ballot which the sighted community takes for granted.”
Other people who can’t cast a vote independently can also register for the assisted voting service by calling the electoral officer.
Vote Friday
Businesses and organisations are encouraged to sign up to Auckland Council’s Vote Friday initiative.
Support local democracy by giving your staff 30 minutes to fill out their voting papers on papers on Friday 4 October.
Email the Vote Friday team at votefriday@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz for more information.
Key election dates
20 September - Voting opens
4 October - Vote Friday
8 October - Last day to post voting papers (ballot boxes will still be open)
12 October - Voting closes at midday
17 October to 23 October - Official results announced
