People in the Western Ward should start receiving their voting papers for the by-election in the mail this week.

The voting period starts on Thursday 20 April and will close at midday on Friday 12 May.

Anyone can vote, providing they live in the Western Ward area and they are on the Parliamentary electoral roll – about 4180 electors are currently on the roll. People who live outside the area, but pay rates on a property in the ward may also qualify to vote.

The by-election is to fill a vacancy on Council created by the passing of Councillor Rodger Letham, and four candidates have been nominated.

Chief Executive Hamish Riach said people could check if they were on the Parliamentary roll by visiting vote.nz or free phoning 0800 36 76 56.

“It’s important that everyone who wants to vote in the by-election can vote and we anticipate a good voter turn-out. Rodger leaves big shoes to fill, and the new councillor will take his or her place at the council table with the people of the Western Ward at heart.”

Voting papers should all be delivered by 26 April, but it you don’t receive your papers, please get in touch with our Customer Services team.

More information is available about the by-election, and those nominated, at voteashburton.nz.

People are encouraged to return their voting papers by post, by dropping them into any NZ Post box, or by dropping them into one of our three ballot boxes at the Council office, Ashburton Library or the i-Hub Methven, at the Mt Hutt Memorial Hall.

Progress and preliminary results will be announced as soon as possible in the afternoon of 12 May, and available on the Council website ashburtondc.govt.nz.