So far, the Bay of Plenty Regional Council's total vote count is 19,988.
With one day until the election closes on Saturday, October 8, vote returns seem to be down by approximately 18,231 compared to the 2019 total.
In 2019, total votes amounted to 38,219.
This is a total percentage shift from 40.28 per cent total voter participation in 2019, to 19.18 per cent as of Thursday, October 6.
Local elections have been on a steady downswing in turnout for some time, however in 2019, the final two days of results only accounted for about 7.32 per cent.
This means even accounting for the two days left, there is a significant drop in voter turnout this year of about 13.78 per cent compared to the last two days of voting in 2019.
How 2022 compares to previous Tauranga City Council and Bay of Plenty Regional Council elections. Image: Taylor Rice/SunLive.
According to an electoral officer at Electionz.com, the large difference in voting can be put down to the Bay of Plenty Regional Council not being included in the Tauranga City Council's vote this year.
"Usually we do not provide the regional council numbers, as they are usually the same as the city council vote.
"Of course this time, there is no city election in Tauranga. The drop in votes is to be expected for this reason."
The lack of a city council election in Tauranga comes with the extension of the commission to 2024 announced in March by Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta.
Tauranga City Council not having an election this year means the regional council is holding a separate election to gather votes.
The electoral officer also adds it is not fair to compare this year's vote totals to previous years, as the election circumstances are different.
Voting papers for this year's local government elections began appearing in people's letterboxes from Friday, September 16.
All registered electors should have recieved their papers by September 21.
If returning completed voting papers after Tuesday, October 4, the Bay of Plenty Regional Council suggests delivering papers to the nearest district or city council office to ensure they make the deadline before voting closes.
In Tauranga, the Tauranga Constituency and Mauao Māori Constituency voting papers can also be delivered to the Regional Council office in Elizabeth Street, and to the Tauranga Libraries between 9.30am and 12pm.
Voting closes 12pm, Saturday, October 8.
5 comments
Hmmm
Posted on 07-10-2022 15:13 | By Let's get real
For me, the disgraceful lack of interest in local body elections can be summed up by the APPOINTMENT of commissioners, the backdoor entry into council offices and the contempt shown towards the majority of the community by councillors and commissioners alike, around the country. Just today, an announcement from the Auckland mayor of millions of ratepayer funds directed solely to Maori enterprise. Disgraceful and quite frankly, demeaning. The destruction of communities by left leaning politicians with their hands in our pockets.
Disillusionment.
Posted on 07-10-2022 15:33 | By morepork
I was tempted not to vote because I thought we couldn't... By the time I woke up and recognised it was for the Regional Council, it was getting close, allowing time to research candidates, fill out the form, then find a snail mail box to post it in. Add to this the feeling of impotence and frustration at imposed authority, consistent stupidity and under-performance, failure to listen, and continual profligate waste of our money by existing Authorities, and I can understand how people are just giving up on it. We are watching our Democracy being eroded by the same Minister who pursues Maori Party agendas (return of tribal tikanga and cancellation of Democracy) and gives jobs to the cuzzies so that she can spread other people's money around her whanau. Why would anybody support that? The ONLY vote that matters, is the one in the coming General Election.
Fed up maybe?
Posted on 07-10-2022 16:44 | By The Professor
Maybe people are fed up with the BS candidates spin, just to become elected? Doesn't matter who gets in....the roads will remain in poor state, roads won't get built to accommodate an ever increasing population....rates will continue to be amongst the highest in NZ, the ratepayers will continue to subsidize and pay the losses for public transport, and nice to haves will continue to be built. So, what's the point in putting in the effort?
Reason
Posted on 07-10-2022 17:32 | By Hugh Janis
The reason why voting is down is because the general public are sick and tired of politics and politicians following the last 2 years. This will take a long time to turn around and will be reflected in most places across the country.
@Let's get real
Posted on 08-10-2022 13:25 | By morepork
I agree with your comment. And I smiled at your particularly colourful: " The destruction of communities by left leaning politicians with their hands in our pockets." (Doesn't really matter whether they lean Left or Right, there's bugger all left in MY pockets...)
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