Ngā kupu me ngā toronga auau.
Our common terms and references.
GLOSSARY
Electoral System
The electoral system is the voting system used to determine the result of an election. There are two main electoral systems used in New Zealand, First Past the Post (FPP) and Single Transferable Voting (STV).
Elector
A person who is eligible to vote in an election.
Electoral Roll
The list of names of people who are registered electors for an election.
First Past the Post (FPP)
Under the FPP electoral system, the candidate(s) with the most votes wins. This is a very simple method of electing candidates. In an election for three positions, under FPP the voter can place ticks next to the names of up to three candidates, which means the voter has three votes. See www.dia.govt.nz for more information.
Single Transferable Voting (STV)
Under an STV electoral system, each voter has one vote but can rank candidates in their order of preference. For example, voters would write ‘1’ next to the name of the person’s preferred candidate, ‘2’ next to the second preferred candidate and so on.
With STV, voters can indicate preferences for all the candidates. So in an election for three positions and 5 candidates, the voter can choose to rank up to 5 candidates, but could just put ‘1’ next to the preferred candidate.
The number of vacancies and votes determines the quota a candidate must reach to be elected. The formula for deciding the quota is total number of valid votes, divided by the number of vacancies plus one. See www.dia.govt.nz for more information.
Nomination
For an election, it is the act of officially suggesting someone for a position.
Special Vote
A special vote is a vote cast by someone who is not able to cast an ordinary vote. The voter’s eligibility to be a special voter must be confirmed before the vote is included in the election result. Instances when a special vote may be issued to an elector include when the elector’s name does not appear on the copy of the roll used for that election or poll; the elector spoils, loses, or does not receive his or her voting documents; or the elector satisfies the electoral officer that it will not be possible or practicable for the elector to vote by casting an ordinary vote without incurring hardship or undue inconvenience.
Representation Review (for local authorities)
Representation reviews are undertaken by local authorities to ensure residents have fair and effective representation at a local election. Local authorities are required by the Local Electoral Act 2001 to review their representation arrangements at least once every six years. Elections are held for local authorities every three years, meaning each review can apply for a maximum of two election cycles before it is reviewed.
A representation review addresses:
- the total number of councillors there should be for the district, city or region.
- the way they are elected (i.e. ‘at large’ across the whole district or city, from wards, or from a mix of both).
- the boundaries of wards and constituencies, and their names.
- whether there should be local or community boards in the district or city and, if so, the number of boards; their names and boundaries; the number of members for each board, including any appointed members; and whether the board area should be subdivided for electoral purposes.
Ratepayer Enrolment
Any person on the parliamentary roll (residential elector) may also be a ratepayer elector if:
- They are the sole ratepayer for a property (or properties) in a different area to where they reside.
- They are a joint ratepayer (husband/wife/partner) for a property (or properties) in a different area to where they reside. NOTE: Only one person representing a joint ratepayer may be the ratepayer elector.
- They have been nominated by a Trust, Company, Organisation (and have an interest in said Trust, Company, Organisation) for a property (or properties) in a different area to where they reside. NOTE: Only one person representing a ratepayer entity may be the ratepayer elector.
If a person is eligible to be a ratepayer elector for a property in a different Region to where they reside, they will be entitled to vote for the Region, City/District Council (Mayor and Councillors) and Community/Local Board (if there is one) for that property.
If a person is eligible to be a ratepayer elector for a property in the same Region, but a different City/District Council to where they reside, they will be entitled to vote for the City/District Council (Mayor and Councillors) and Community/Local Board (if there is one) for that property.
If a person is eligible to be a ratepayer elector for a property in the same Region and City/District but a different Community/Local Board (if there is one) to where they reside, they will be entitled to vote for the Community/Local Board only (if there is one) for that property.
