Auckland Council’s One Stop Shop local election programme is being extended to tertiary campuses across the city.
The initiative, run in partnership with the Electoral Commission, allows people to enrol and vote at the same time.
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.
“The One Stop Shop programme brings the election to the people, making voting as simple as possible.
“Dozens of One Stop Shops will pop up at universities, malls, night markets and marae throughout the election period.”
Participating tertiary institutions include the University of Auckland, Auckland University of Technology, Manukau Institute of Technology and Massey University.
The first tertiary One Stop Shop will be held at Massey University (Albany) on Wednesday 25 September, from 11am to 3pm.
Other times, dates and locations will be publicised on the elections website, voteauckland.co.nz.
University of Auckland politics lecturer Lara Greaves says, “The One Stop Shop initiative removes barriers between young people and voting.”
“It should help increase the youth vote by meeting people where they are and the places where they go about their daily lives.”
Auckland University Students’ Association President George Barton says, “Currently, students are one of the biggest groups who aren't actually voting.”
“I'm really excited for what Auckland Council's One Stop Shop programme will mean for voter turnout among students here at the University of Auckland and across the Auckland tertiary sector generally.”
People will also be able to cast special votes at four Auckland libraries and nine council service centres.
Voters who receive their voting papers in the mail can also drop their ballots at a One Stop Shop, rather than putting them in a post box.
Vote Friday
UniServices - the University of Auckland’s commercial arm - has signed up for Vote Friday.
They’ll join other major Auckland organisations in offering their staff 30 minutes to fill out their voting papers on Friday 4 October.
UniServices Chief Executive Dr Andy Shenk says, “As part of the University of Auckland we have a statutory and moral obligation to support the democratic process, and by supporting Vote Auckland we can encourage our employees to participate.”
Our Vote Friday launch partners include Stuff, Spark, the Auckland Business Chamber, all three Auckland Police Districts and the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra.
Organisations are encouraged support local democracy by signing up today.
Tertiary One Stop Shops (more locations to be confirmed*)
- Wednesday 25 September - Massey University (Albany) - 11am - 3pm
- Thursday 26 September - AUT (Albany) - 10am to 12.30pm
- Monday 30 September - University of Auckland - Midday to 4pm
- Tuesday 8 October – Manukau Institute of Technology - Midday to 4pm
- Thursday 10 October - Auckland University of Technology - Midday to 4pm
- Friday 11 October - University of Auckland - Midday to 4pm
* More locations to be added at Manukau Institute of Technology (Manukau and Otara campuses).
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
- Find out more about the candidates in your area by typing your address into the elections website
- Sign up for voting reminders so you don’t forget to cast your vote
