South Wairarapa (and other district councils nationwide) last week posted Ratepayer Roll Enrolment Confirmation Letters and Forms to voters for their participation in October’s election.
The system has appointed the officials who will formally oversee the election process which – like previous elections – will provide postal ballots to be carried by the ailing postal system.
This will be augmented by a voting booth option on the final day of voting – Saturday 11 October.
SWDC recently set out the election timetable which applies till the newly-elected (or re-elected) mayor and councillors hold a first meeting some time in late October.
Key dates and requirements for voters and candidates:
- Check you are enrolled to vote – now until 1 August 2025;
- Consider being a candidate – now until 1 July 2025;
- 28 March – last week Ratepayer Roll Enrolment Confirmation Letters and Forms were sent to existing ratepayers;
- 4 July – candidate nominations open;
- 30 April – Council to decide the order of candidates’ names on voting forms;
- by 10 July – public notice of the election calling for nominations;
- 11 July – pre-election period starts
- Before 18 July – formal pre-election report published by the Chief Executive;
- Noon 1 August – candidate nominations close;
- 8 August – candidates announced;
- 5 September – final electoral roll certified by Electoral Officer;
- 9 – 22 September – voting papers sent to enrolled voters;
- 9 September – 11 October – voting opens;
- Noon 11 October – voting closes;
- 11 October – progress and preliminary results published;
- 14 – 17 October final election results announced;
- Late October – Induction of new candidates as soon as practical after results are announced;
- Late October – Inaugural meeting of the new Council will be held (date TBC);
- Now onwards – Officers have begun planning the new Council programme to commence immediately following the elections, including the inaugural meeting, training and induction.
