Hamilton City Council is urging all last-minute voters to get their papers in as soon as possible as return figures show worrying numbers.
As of yesterday only 17 per cent of Hamilton residents had returned their voting papers, which was markedly lower than the returns at the same stage in the previous two elections.
Hamilton City Council electoral officer Dale Ofsoske stressed the importance of residents having their say.
"It doesn't matter who you are or what you do, your vote counts just as much as anyone else's," he said.
"Time is running out with voting closing this Saturday. We need more Hamiltonians to be involved."