Local election rules make it tough for voters travelling overseas

Auckland electoral officer Dale Ofsoske. Photo / Paul Estcourt

Voting packs will arrive in Auckland mailboxes from the end of this week - but people away from home may miss the chance to have their say in the Super City election.

Those planning to be out of the country during the three-week local election voting period, ending on October 9, cannot cast an advance special vote, unlike at general elections.

Auckland electoral officer Dale Ofsoske says that while the parliamentary election lasts just one day, requiring more leeway for people who cannot vote in person, the voting window for local elections starts three weeks out from polling day and has done since postal voting was introduced in 1989.

He says that on request, special ballot papers will be sent to any address around the world, to be filled in and returned by travelling voters.

Doreen Smith, 79, is one eligible voter who is not impressed with the option of having her voting papers forwarded to her while on holiday.

The Northcote resident leaves for foreign shores on Friday, the day the papers are being distributed, and will not be home until October 19, 10 days after the ballot closes.

She said that on a group tour, travelling from place to place, it was simply not practical to provide an international address for her voting paper to be sent to.

"I'm not going to be in one place long enough to receive it."

The system has also been criticised by mayoral candidate John Banks.

"Many people, at many meetings, have approached me with this issue," he said. "It is completely wrong that someone who is overseas who will not get back until after October 9 is effectively disenfranchised. There is no provision for voting outside this period."

Mr Ofsoske acknowledged that the voting system had its flaws but said electoral officers had "done their best" to get voting documents to people overseas.

"But depending on where they are, Outer Mongolia or somewhere, it's going to take more than four or five days."

He also said the system would never suit everybody.

"Some people don't know where they will be, those that are just travelling around. They are the ones we can't help."

The three-week voting period coincides with school holidays, exacerbating the issue, especially for holidaymakers with children at some of Auckland's private schools, where the term three break runs for an additional week.

Mr Ofsoske said that although the timing of the school holidays had been a problem since the introduction of the four-term year in 1995, the election date, always the second Saturday in October, was set by statute and only legislative change could shift it.

Get ready to tick

* Voting packs are delivered between September 17 and 22.

* If you don't receive yours, phone (09) 973-5212 or 0800-922-822.

* You have until October 9 to vote and post them.