Voting has opened for the local body elections in the region – giving ratepayers a month to choose who will represent them in their community.

People can now vote for candidates in the Western Bay of Plenty District Council (WBOPDC) and Bay of Plenty Regional Council (BOPRC) elections, with voting papers now arriving in letterboxes.

According to WBOPDC, this year there are more opportunities to vote than ever before – with 20 orange voting bins throughout the rohe (district) at WBOPDC library and service centres – for the first time, at supermarkets and other local stores.

Voting papers for both councils’ elections will arrive in mailboxes between September 9-22, and can be dropped in one of the orange bins up until midday on Saturday, October 11. A map of the voting bin locations can be found at: yourplace.westernbay.govt.nz/hub-page/elections.

For those mailing their voting papers using a NZ Post or DX Mail post box, it is recommended to post them no later than Tuesday, October 7, to make sure they are received before the cut-off date.

A total of 55 candidates are standing in this year’s WBOPDC elections, contesting 33 positions across the district, including eight candidates for mayor.

People can learn more about the candidates by reading their profiles in the booklets sent out with the voting packs, or by viewing candidate profiles and 90-second videos online at: yourplace.westernbay.govt.nz/hub-page/elections.

“At the last local body elections, only 37.6% of people in the Western BOP voted – that’s just over a third,” said WBOPDC governance manager Robyn Garrett.

“This year, with the introduction of orange voting bins at local supermarkets, we’re hoping to boost that number, by making it easier than ever to vote. So, get involved and pop your vote in a bin next time you’re getting your groceries or visiting your local library.”

If you are not enrolled to vote, you can still enrol, or update your enrolment details, up until the day before voting closes – however, you will have to cast a special vote.

Special votes are available to those who enrolled to vote after August 1, didn’t receive their voting papers in the mail, lost or damaged their voting papers, are on the unpublished electoral roll, or whose address is out of date.

To cast a special vote, people need to visit any of WBOPDC’s five library and service centres.

“Special votes make sure everyone still has a place in the election, so even if you’re not fully enrolled yet or need to update your details, there’s still time to be part of the process and have your say,” said Garrett.

Preliminary election results will be announced on October 11. Final results will be known between October 14-17.

For more information, visit: yourplace.westernbay.govt.nz/elections