More than 80 percent plan to vote

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THIS week’s Gisborne Herald web poll shows most people here are keen to vote in the election, with a slight majority intending to do it on the day itself.

When asked if they would be voting in the General Election, and if so when, 44 percent of people said they would vote today, with 40 percent saying they had voted early, a total of 84 percent.

Sixteen percent said they would not be voting.

One respondent said they preferred to vote on election day because special votes took several days to count, which meant a risk of no firm decision on election day.

Another said they would stick to the traditional day, but wondered how long that would continue.

“It’s a tradition soon to be replaced by a computerised cheaper system,” they said.

Another said they enjoyed the community feel of election day.

“We plan to enjoy the community spirit of voting on the day. No reason why voting shouldn’t be fun.”

One early voter said voting early avoided a last-minute panic on the Saturday.

For one very keen voter, the election was just far too early in its entirety.

“I can’t vote because I’m 17, which gets me cut because I wish I could.”

Three hundred and forty-four people took part in the poll; 153 people said they would vote on Saturday and 135 said they would vote early.

Another 56 people said they would not vote at all.