17.4.1 How voting works
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The electoral roll for a local election includes residential and ratepayer electors.
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A person is qualified to vote in Auckland’s local elections as a residential elector if he/she is enrolled on the parliamentary electoral roll for the area [1]. To be eligible for enrolment, a person must be [2]:
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over 18 years
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a New Zealand citizen or a permanent resident.
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The enrolment process is the same as for national elections [3].
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A person who owns property within the Auckland Council area but who lives outside this area (and is on the electoral roll at a residence outside the area) can enrol as a ratepayer elector for the election of the mayor and governing body members [4]. A person who owns property within a local board area but who lives outside the local board area can enrol as a ratepayer elector for the election of the local board members. To go on the ratepayer roll, a person needs to apply to the electoral officer for the local council area in which he/she owns property but does not usually live. The electoral officer will send a form to complete, sign and return to check eligibility.
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If someone is registered on the unpublished electoral roll, they will need to apply to the electoral officer to receive voting papers [5].
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Voters who are overseas can take part in local elections. They must ensure they are correctly enrolled with an overseas postal address to receive their voting papers. Voting papers for local elections cannot be downloaded.
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Voting methods
Local elections may use postal voting, booth voting, electronic voting or a combination [6]. Auckland Council’s elections are held by postal vote. Voting papers are posted to all enrolled voters about a month before voting starts. The postal voting period starts three weeks in advance of election day.