Voting in the Western Ward by-election closes at midday this Friday with people now urged to drop their voting papers into the orange ballot boxes at Council, the Ashburton Public Library or Mt Hutt Memorial Hall.

Chief Executive Hamish Riach said the ward had just under 4200 eligible voters and information from the by-election organiser on Monday was that 32 per cent had returned their voting papers already.

“It is now too late to return them by post, so we encourage those who want to vote, to drop their papers into the orange ballot boxes so they are received in time.”

Four candidates are standing for the vacancy on Council created by the death of Councillor Rodger Letham last December. Preliminary results are expected to be known late on Friday afternoon, with confirmation on Monday.

The successful candidate will be sworn in at a Council meeting on 17 May.

The new Western Ward councillor will also join the Methven Community Board, which next meets on 12 June.

Mr Riach said eligible voters should have received voting packs when the voting period opened in April, but those who had not received them should contact Council’s Customer Services team on 03 307-7700.

Voting closes at midday on Friday 12 May.

For information about the by-election and daily returns, go to voteashburton.nz