With just two days to go until voting ends for the Auckland Council, the final turnout is heading towards the 37.3 per cent return recorded in 2007 across the region.
By yesterday, 26.13 per cent of postal voting papers had been returned, compared with 39.4 per cent on the same day in 2010.
Three years ago, voters had the novelty of the first ballot for the new Super City and a spirited mayoral contest between Manukau mayor Len Brown and Auckland City mayor John Banks.
The final return was 50.5 per cent, well up on the 37.3 per cent figure in 2007.
This year's election has been thrown off track by the America's Cup and a limp mayoral contest between Mr Brown and right-wing rival John Palino.
From today, people can drop their voting documents in ballot boxes in all public libraries, the electoral office at 45 Queen St and eight council offices at:
• Great Barrier Island Service Centre, Hector Sanderson Rd, Claris
• Henderson Service Centre, 6 Henderson Valley Rd
• Manukau Service Centre, Kotuku House, 4 Osterley Way (or, on Saturday, across the road at the library)
• Orewa Service Centre, 50 Centreway Rd
• Papakura Service Centre, 35 Coles Crescent
• Pukekohe Service Centre, 82 Manukau Rd
• Takapuna Service Centre, 1 The Strand (or, on Saturday, next door at the library)
• Waiheke Service Centre, 10 Belgium St, Ostend