It's hard to believe that this is the last week of winter, in meteorological terms.

In the next few weeks we will see fields of yellow daffodils break into bloom around Tinwald and Ashburton. While yellow is the colour of spring, orange is the colour of the local elections and you will see more of it too, as the voting period gets under way.

Voting papers will be arriving in your letterboxes from 9 September and voters have a month to return them, either by post or by depositing them into the secure orange ballot boxes that will be dotted around the district.

We've also enlisted the help of some locals to be the face of the voting campaign in in Mid Canterbury, and I want to thank them for encouraging their fellow residents to have their say at the ballot box.

In the Ashburton District, we'll be voting for one mayor and seven councillors (five in the Ashburton ward and two in the Western ward) - the two Eastern ward councillors have already been decided as there were only two nominations, and the five Methven Community Board members have been decided too, with matching nominations.

Voters will also be asked to choose two representatives on Environment Canterbury and six for the Braided Rivers Community Trust.

It was great to see a good turnout to a meet-the-candidate evening in Methven last week and, as I write this on the eve of the Ashburton event, I expect another good showing in town.

Technology willing, the Ashburton event was livestreamed and should be available as a recorded session via our Council website and social media channels.

It's important to be as informed as possible when you vote, as these elected members will have a big impact on our daily lives, from parks to potholes, over the next three years.

If you're not sure who to vote for, then you can always visit voteashburton.nz to view candidate profiles and videos.