Key election dates for voters are as follows:-

Voting will open from 20 September 2019 and close at noon on 12 October 2019.

• Friday 20 September 2019 – Voting opens
• Tuesday 8 October 2019 – Last day to post voting papers 8 October 2019 (although you will still be able to post them in a ballot box)
• Saturday 12 October 2019 – Voting closes at noon, progress results announced
• Thursday 17 October 2019 – Official results declared

Why you should vote in the local elections:

The mayor, councillors and local board members you vote for make decisions that will impact many aspects of your life.
There is no level of government in New Zealand that is more directly involved in your local community than your council.
They deliver many services around Auckland, like libraries, rubbish collection, regional and local parks, community centres, water distribution and public transport.

How to vote in the local elections

The 2019 local elections will be conducted by postal vote.

Enrol to vote

To vote in the local elections, you must be enrolled to vote. In New Zealand, enrolment for all elections is managed by the Electoral Commission. If you voted in previous local or parliamentary elections, you should still be enrolled. If you have moved recently, you may need to update your details. To find out if you are enrolled, or to find out how to enrol, visit the Electoral Commission website (www.vote.nz).

Postal voting

If you are enrolled to vote, you will receive a voting paper in the mail by Wednesday 25 September 2019. Once you have filled in your voting paper, put it in the pre-paid envelope provided and post it back. You can also put your envelope in the ballot box at any library.

The mayor, councillors and local board members you vote for make decisions that will impact many aspects of your life.

When you need to post the vote

You will need to post your voting paper by Tuesday 8 October 2019 to make sure it reaches us on time.
If you miss this date, you can still vote by putting your envelope into one of our ballot boxes before noon on Saturday 12 October 2019.

Special voting

You will need to cast a special vote if:

• you have not enrolled to vote by 16 August 2019 but you qualify as an elector
• you do not receive your voting papers
• your voting papers are damaged or spoiled.

More information about how to cast a special vote will be available closer to the election.

Assisted voting

You can arrange for a trained election official to come and help you fill in your voting paper if you are blind or vision-impaired, or would otherwise find it difficult to complete the voting paper. Information about how to register for this service will be available closer to the election.

How to fill in the voting form

You will be asked to cast a vote for:

• The mayor
• One or two councillors in your ward (area)
• Five to nine local board members in your local board area
• District health board members.

For more information visit: www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/elections