It's no secret that the turnout for local government elections is low and continues to drop. With a heavy reliance on postal services (which are declining), we must do something to address the gaps.
Local Government New Zealand has released an interesting discussion paper with the challenges and some suggestions on what we could do to address them. This includes:
👥 How well the public understands local government and why it matters
👤 Understanding the candidates and their policies
✅ Voting methods
📣How elections are run and promoted
4️⃣ The possibility of moving to four-year terms (including how this would work)
Feedback on the issues paper will help shape the group’s position paper. You can have your say until Sunday 19 January 2025.
Check out their website for more information: https://www.lgnz.co.nz/policy-advocacy/key-issues-for-councils/local-electoral-reform/