The Daily Examiner.
A report from Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) has sparked significant discussion by emphasizing the urgent need to replace postal voting with a voting booth system for the future of local body elections.
This recommendation is part of 20 draft proposals outlined by the Electoral Reform Working Group (ERWG) in its Draft Position Paper, released today. The aim? To reshape local elections and boost voter turnout.
Nelson Mayor Nick Smith, Chair of the LGNZ Electoral Reform Group, didn’t mince words.
He highlighted that the Issues Paper from October last year pinpointed current voting methods as a critical challenge. Smith firmly believes that postal voting is no longer sustainable, citing collapsing postal volumes and other factors.
His stance is clear: “Moving to in-person polling booth voting for local elections offers the best opportunity to ensure the future integrity of our voting system.”
Smith envisions a nationally consistent system mirroring parliamentary elections, with a two-week voting window. He described this shift as potentially the most transformative change to local elections, alongside other key recommendations aimed at reversing declining voter turnout.
While online voting has been floated as an alternative, Smith noted its repeated failures over the past three decades due to security and cost concerns.
Instead, the report also proposes a four-year term for local and central government, with elections staggered two years apart—a change significant enough to warrant a referendum.
With local elections scheduled for October 11 this year, the report calls for these recommendations to be implemented by 2028.
In the meantime, councils are encouraged to enhance participation through measures like alternative ballot drop-off points. Smith pointed to the success of the 2024 Tauranga City Council elections, where 86% of voters used council-provided alternatives to post boxes.
The declining voter turnout, which has plagued local elections for decades, is seen as an existential threat to local government. Smith stressed the urgency of reform to preserve the democratic mandate of local councils. The ERWG’s bold and substantive proposals, alongside minor adjustments, aim to address these challenges head-on.
The report has already garnered 57 submissions, including input from councils, political parties, and organizations like NZ Post and the Ministry of Disabled People.
Smith welcomed further discussion, signaling that the conversation is far from over. It’s a bold vision for the future of local democracy—one that could redefine how New Zealanders engage with their local government.
