Help shape the future of Hawke’s Bay

What will it take to make young people turn out to vote - or even stand - in the upcoming local body elections?

The Electoral Officers for Hawke’s Bay’s five Councils and Hawke’s Bay District Health Board (HBDHB) are working together to promote enrolling, and voting, and new candidates to stand for the 2019 local elections on 12 October. Collectively, they want to increase the number of young voters - those aged between 18 and 24 - and voters of all ages in general.

While the total number of Hawke’s Bay people who cast a vote in 2016 was better than the national average, this was still only a 42% turnout, and less than half of all eligible voters aged over 18.

Voting means you can have your say on who represents you and makes decisions on your and your community’s behalf, helping to shape the future of your local and regional councils, and District Health Board.

Nationwide, councils look after a huge range of community assets worth billions, including libraries, parks, playgrounds and pools, 90% of New Zealand’s road network, the bulk of the country’s water and wastewater networks and the environment we all depend on.

Anyone who will turn 18 by the time of the elections is able to pre-enrol now. They will then be automatically enrolled on their 18^th birthday.

Voting opens on 20 September, and closes at noon on Saturday 12 October.

The councils and District Health Board have been holding information evenings for people considering becoming a Councillor or District Health Board community representative. Candidate nominations open on 19 July, and close on 16 August.

Key things to remember:

• 19 July Nominations open for candidates
• 16 August Nominations close at 12 noon, and the electoral rolls close
• 21 August Electoral officers to publicise candidates’ names
• 20-25 September Voting papers delivered to households
• 12 October Voting papers must be at the council before voting closes at 12 noon. Preliminary results will be available as soon as possible afterwards.
• 17-23 October Official results declared.

For more information about standing, enrolling and voting in your local community, visit your local council’s website or that of the district health board:

www.napier.govt.nz

www.hbrc.govt.nz

www.chbdc.govt.nz

www.hastingsdc.govt.nz

www.wairoadc.govt.nz

www.hawkesbay.health.nz

21 May 2019

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