Pēhea ai ngā pōtitanga ā-rohe e tū How local elections work

Every three years Auckland Council runs local elections. The Electoral Commission works with us to keep the electoral rolls updated. This is important because the voting information packs that you receive in the mail are tailored to your local area and the candidates who are nominated in it.

Watch the video explaining local elections

Read the full transcript of this video.

Make sure you are enrolled

The first step before any local elections is to check that you are enrolled to vote, and that your details are correct.

You can check or update your details online, or call 0800 36 76 56.

Visit the Electoral Commission website to find out other ways to enrol.

You can enrol to vote when you are 17 so that the next time an election comes around, you are ready to vote.

Get your voter information pack

Local elections are held by postal vote.

By enrolling or checking that your details are up-to-date, you are making sure that you will receive your voter information pack in the mail.

Your pack will include:

  • your local area candidate information booklet
  • your voting papers
  •  the envelope to return your voting papers.

Postage is paid on the return envelopes, so all you need to do is drop them in to your nearest post box or voting box before the due date.

How to return your completed voting papers to us

The easiest way to return your voting papers is to post them in the envelope provided in your voter information pack.

There are also a few other ways that you can get this done.

Mobile voting boxes

These are collection boxes for voting papers at your local spots like libraries, supermarkets, and transport stations.

All you need to do is drop in your completed voting forms and you’re done. Look out for these boxes appearing in your neighbourhood.

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