By-election voting papers delivered to Palmerston North letterboxes

Voting papers for Horizons Regional Council’s Palmerston North by-election, have been delivered to registered voters in the city from Thursday last week. Voting closes on 21 September at 12 noon.
 

Deputy electoral officer Kay Booth says we’re aware of the confusion for some ratepayers as they’re also currently receiving their annual rates invoice.
 
“Voting papers have been posted by our contractor and happen to coincide with the annual rates invoice which is unfortunate timing.”
 
The by-election is being held due to the passing of  the late Cr Pat Kelly over Queen’s Birthday Weekend earlier this year.
 
“We strongly encourage our Palmerston North residents to vote in this by-election. The successful candidate will represent the community’s views and make decisions on their behalf,” says Mrs Booth.
 
“The qualities voters should be looking for in an elected member include effective decision making, excellent communication, and good relationship and time management.”
 
“Elected councillors need to be able to relate to a wide range of community members with a range of views on how the region’s environment should be managed.”
 
“The regional council serves communities from Ruapehu in the north and Horowhenua in the south, to Whanganui in the west and Tararua in the east. We are responsible for managing the region’s land, air and water resources, contracting  passenger transport services, and play an important part in regional transport planning and road safety education. We also work to reduce the risk and impact of flooding and lead the planning for and response to emergencies to help keep people and properties safe,” explains Mrs Booth.
 
The five candidates who have put their name forward for the Council’s by-election are (in alphabetical order); Ross Barber, Jack Dowds, Jono Naylor, Grant Seton, and Chris Teo-Sherrell.
 
Preliminary results for Horizons by-election are expected to be available from the Electoral Officer and on Horizons’ website on 24 September, with final results anticipated to be ready for release on 26 September 2018.
 
Further information regarding the by-election and the candidate statements can be found here, or by contacting Horizons’ deputy electoral officer Kay Booth on freephone 0508 800 800 or email elections@horizons.govt.nz.