Voting packs set to hit Bay mailboxes next week

Tens of thousands of voting packs for the local body elections will arrive in mailboxes across the Bay between September 16 and 21.

Tens of thousands of voting packs for the local body elections will arrive in mailboxes across the Bay between September 16 and 21.

Electoral Commission data revealed that as at August 31 there were 91,323 people enrolled to vote in the Tauranga City Council election, and another 34, 182 in the Western Bay of Plenty District Council election.

The Electoral Commission was urging people to act quickly if they wanted to make the voting process easier for themselves.

Eligible electors had until mid-August to enrol to cast an ordinary vote.

But chief electoral officer Robert Peden said it was not too late for people to apply to enrol to cast a special vote or update their enrolment details.

People can also cast a special vote if their voting papers are lost or damaged, or they can satisfy the electoral officer that it would be too difficult to cast an ordinary vote, he said.

Voting documents must be returned by noon on October 8 which is polling day.

Preliminary results once all 'ordinary' votes are counted would be available as soon as possible afterwards, with official results expected to be declared between October 13-19.

To register to make a special vote call 0800 ENROL NOW (0800 36 76 56) or obtain enrolment forms at postshops, council libraries or offices up to 4pm on October 7.