Make Your Vote Count: Important Tips for Voting Correctly

Voting is one of the most powerful ways to have your voice heard and help shape the future of our communities. As voting papers arrive in mailboxes, it’s crucial to make sure your vote is counted—so here’s an important reminder for all whānau.

Before you fill out your voting paper, take a careful look at the instructions. Some areas use the Single Transferable Vote (STV) system, where you need to rank candidates in your order of preference (1, 2, 3, etc.), while others use a ‘tick the box’ system. If you tick a candidate instead of ranking them in an STV system, unfortunately, your vote might not count.

We’ve seen stories of votes becoming invalid simply because the instructions weren’t followed. Your vote is too important to be missed—so please, take a moment to read the instructions thoroughly before marking your voting paper.

Every valid vote brings us closer to strong, representative councils and ensures your voice is part of the decision-making. Let’s all do our part to make sure our votes count!