Vote? What Vote?
A sample of students shows many have little interest in the upcoming local body elections.
A snap poll of students at Wintec suggests the pending local body elections have yet to get on their radar.
Just 7 of 20 students were aware the country was going to the polls to elect its next set of mayors and councillors – and only 9 said they would consider voting.
But the organisation promoting the elections, Elections.nz, says there was a big increase in the percentage of 18 to 24 year olds who voted at the 2020 general election.
Chief Electoral Officer Alicia Wright said the total voting rate, 82.2%, was is the highest since 1999.
The youngest student asked, a 17-year-old, appeared to have the most knowledge of the students polls, however one 20 year old explained “I don’t partake in politics”.
None of the students could name Hamilton’s mayor – Paula Southgate.
Elections NZ has launched an advertising campaign for the election, largely avoiding community newspapers and concentrating online.
Nominations close on August 12 for seats and the voting will close on October 8.
