There's increasing suggestions turnout in local body elections would improve with a move to in-person voting.

Local Government New Zealand wants postal voting scrapped in local elections - and replaced with polling places and ballot boxes.

Nelson mayor Nick Smith is behind the calls and says less and less people have access to mail boxes than ever - resulting in less people having their voices heard.

"That is negatively impacting on people being part of our local elections - and the real problem is for mayors or councils to be able to speak to their communities when you've got well less than half the people voting."

LISTEN ABOVE

There's increasing suggestions turnout in local body elections would improve with a move to in-person voting.
Local Government New Zealand wants postal voting scrapped in local elections - and replaced with polling places and ballot boxes.
Nelson mayor Nick Smith is behind the calls and says less and less people have access to mail boxes than ever - resulting in less people having their voices heard.
"That is negatively impacting on people being part of our local elections - and the real problem is for mayors or councils to be able to speak to their communities when you've got well less than half the people voting."
LISTEN ABOVE

With a straight down the middle approach, Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive on Newstalk ZB delivers the very latest news and views to New Zealanders as they wrap up their day.

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Nick Smith: Nelson mayor says in-person voting would improve turnout in local body elections

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/7f907280-d4c8-4665-965d-b29f00602d70/transcript