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Resolution
number AE/2023/35
MOVED by Member L Roe, seconded by Member J
Maskill:
That the Albert-Eden Local Board:
a)
provide its feedback,
as outlined in resolutions b) – j), regarding the Evaluation of the
2022 Auckland Council Elections.
b)
note with concern
the low turnout in local body elections and recommends:
i)
that Auckland
Council continue to explore the most effective means of reminding voters
throughout the election period to look out for their ballots and return them
on time, by targeted as well as broad messages
ii)
that the election
period be timed to avoid school and university holidays
iii)
that the Local
Electoral Regulations 2001 be amended to allow voters overseas to receive and
return their voting documents electronically, as is permitted by clause 45A
in the Electoral Regulations 1996
iv)
that the Local
Electoral Act 2001 be amended to allow enrolment until the close of voting
v)
that voting close
at 7.00pm on a Saturday, since this is what voters are used to from general
elections and some may be caught out by a midday close of voting
vi)
implementation of
recommendations for extensive civics education both for school age children
and for the community generally so people have both the confidence and the
competence to vote
vii) the Electoral Commission and other agencies
should fund impartial, measured coverage of local government decisions noting
that the current funding of regional news reporters is already having a
beneficial effect in that regard.
c)
note that some
confusion remains (including among electoral workers) about eligibility for
residents on some categories of visa, and recommends further training for
electoral workers on eligibility and clear messaging in publicity materials
so that all eligible residents are aware they are able to vote.
d)
note the success of
placing voting boxes at Countdown supermarkets as well as libraries and
recommends this initiative continue and be expanded if possible to other
supermarket chains.
e)
note that there
appeared to be more widespread difficulties with voting papers being
delivered than in previous local elections, and recommend investigating
whether this is indeed increasing, and if so, how it might be addressed.
f)
note that postal
delays have increased since 2019 and that postal deliveries no longer take
place daily, which can lead to delays both for voters receiving voting packs
and in returning ballots to the electoral officer, effectively reducing the
voting period and meaning that some ballots arrived too late to be counted;
and to mitigate this, the board recommends that votes postmarked as having
been sent before the close of voting should be accepted and counted if they
arrive before the final count is finished.
g)
note that
requesting a special voting pack by mail is also subject to postal delays,
which makes it crucial for electors to be able to obtain a special vote in
person until the close of voting, and that there were very few places
electors could do this (only eight across Auckland, and only one on the
isthmus, with most open only during business hours), and the Board
recommends:
i)
Providing at least one ‘one-stop shop’ with weekend and evening
hours in each local board area throughout the voting period, where electors
can enroll, obtain a special ballot, or seek advice on difficulties such as
damaged or missing voting packs
ii)
Establishing and publicising a day on which more pop-up one-stop shops are
available across the region
iii)
That these locations be managed similarly to voting booths at general
elections, with campaigning and branded party items not allowed within 50
metres
iv)
That staff ensure that ample voting papers are available at one-stop shops,
and develop procedures to ensure quick delivery of more papers if they are
needed, noting that both in 2019 and in 2022 some voters missed out on
casting a special vote because of a shortage of voting papers. The Board
notes that the system proposed in Auckland Council’s submission (of
providing electronic access to staff at special voting centres to print out
ballots in case of running out or not having the correct papers for a voter
from a different area) is a promising avenue for investigation
v)
Developing procedures for allowing electors to authorise another person to
pick up a special voting pack for them if the elector is unable to (for
instance, if they are isolating with Covid).
h)
support the
introduction of a combination of booth and postal voting with booths set up
on voting day to enable people to enroll and vote and support those booths
closing at 7.00pm on voting day.
i)
strongly recommend
further investigation into giving responsibility for all local government
elections to the Electoral Commission.
j)
note that security
issues around online voting are at present insurmountable.
CARRIED
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