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Otago Regional Council Candidate Information Booklet 2019 Local Government Elections Candidate Information for the 2019 Elections Contents Introduction 4 Election Signage 19 Electoral Officer Appointment 4 NZTA Guidelines for Managing Electioneering Signs on State About electionz.com 4 Highways 19 Electoral Officer & Deputy Electoral Officer 4 Voting and Processing of Votes 20 Role of Electoral Officer 5 Order of Candidates on the Voting Papers 20 Election Principles 5 Special Voting 20 Election Timetable 6 Early Processing of Returned Voting Papers 20 Candidate Information Presentation 6 Election Results 21 Election Issues 7 Recounts and Petitions for Inquiry 21 Population Statistics 7 Constituency Maps 22 Governance Information 8 Otago Regional Council Constituencies 22 Council’s Responsibilities 8 Appendix 1 - Candidate Profile Statements 23 Councillor – Base role description 8 Local Authority Elections 2019 23 Additional Information 8 Duties, Powers and Responsibilities of Electoral Officers 23 Members Interests 9 Distribution of Candidate Profile Statement 23 Members’ Remuneration 9 Appendix 2 - Return of Electoral Donations and Expenses 24 Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 9 Appendix 3 - Electoral Expenses and Donations 25 Inaugural Meeting 10 Appendix 4 - Scrutineers 28 Pre-election Report 10 Role of Scrutineers 28 Electoral Systems 10 Appointment of Scrutineers 28 Electoral Roll 11 Declaration 28 Candidate Eligibility 11 Information to be Supplied by Electoral Officer 29 Nominations 12 Arrangements for Roll Scrutiny, Preliminary and Official Counts and any Recount 29 Completion of Nomination Paper 12 Restrictions on Scrutineers During Election and Poll Submitting the Nomination Documents 12 Processes 29 Candidate Details 13 Conduct of Scrutineer 30 Nomination Deposits 13 Offences 30 Candidate Withdrawals 13 Appendix 5 - Appointment of Scrutineer 31 Candidate Profile Statements 14 Appendix 6 - Election Offences 32 Translations 14 Local Electoral Act 2001 32 Candidate Photos 14 General Provisions 35 Correctness of Profile Statements 15 Campaigning, Council Resources and Social Media 16 Council Resources 16 Election Advertising and Authorisation on Campaign Material 16 Advertising Standards Code for Campaign Material 16 Campaign Expenditure Limits 16 Return of Electoral Expenses 16 Social Media Guidelines for Candidates 18 Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to ensure that the information contained in this booklet is accurate and consistent with the Local Electoral Act 2001 and its amendments. Otago Regional Council takes no responsibility for any errors or omissions. It is recommended that candidates obtain a full copy of the Act, which can be purchased from any Government Bookstore or viewed on-line at www.legislation.govt.nz. 3 Candidate Information for the 2019 Elections Introduction This booklet outlines information which may be of interest to About electionz.com potential candidates and others interested in election issues electionz.com provides public and private sector election services with general information on the election. It should be used as for council, producer boards, companies, associations, non-profit a guide only, and candidates or other persons requiring more organisations, schools, universities and companies. detailed information should contact the electoral officer or electionz.com deputy electoral officer directly. No responsibility is taken for the For the 2019 local body elections will be processing accuracy of information in this booklet or candidate’s failure to voting papers for forty two local authorities, using both First comply with legislative requirements. Past the Post (FPP) and Single Transferable Vote (STV) voting methods. The processing of voting papers is being carried out in The Local Electoral Act 2001 (LEA), its amendments and Christchurch. regulations, is the presiding legislation for local government electionz.com elections. It covers all matters pertaining to the conduct of the Additionally, for the 2019 triennial elections will elections including voting methods, voting systems, nomination be providing electoral officer services to thirty two district or city requirements, electoral roll requirements, length of voting period councils, four regional councils and ten district health boards. and progressive processing period, candidate profiles, offences, In addition to local government election processing, electionz.com and campaign expenditure limits. All candidates should familiarise also provides returning officer services as well as internet voting, themselves with the LEA and the information as set out in this internet surveys, and telephone voting on contract to private and document. public organisations. Copies of the LEA and its regulations are available from the Government Bookshop, or they can be viewed online at Electoral Officer & Deputy Electoral Officer www.legislation.govt.nz. Anthony Morton, has extensive local government and electoral officer experience. He has worked in excess of 20 years for various Electoral Officer Appointment South Island councils in Waimate, Oamaru and Southland before electionz.com electionz.com Otago Regional Council has engaged electionz.com Ltd as it’s joining in 2000. Since joining he has election contractor for the 2019 local body elections. worked on more than 1,000 elections for many public and private organisations in NZ, including Fonterra Co-operative Group, Beef As part of that contract, Anthony Morton, has been appointed & Lamb New Zealand, TECT, Ballance Agri-nutrients, Ravensdown, electoral officer by the Council. DairyNZ, The Co-operative Bank, Fish & Game NZ, NZ Teachers Council etc. The deputy electoral officer is Sharon Bodeker. Sharon is the Team Leader Civic at the Dunedin City Council and has been involved in administrative roles in previous triennial elections. Electoral Officer Anthony Morton, electionz.com Ltd, PO Box 3138, CHRISTCHURCH. Phone: 0800 666 048 Email: [email protected] Deputy Electoral Officer Sharon Bodeker, Dunedin City Council, Moray Place, PO Box 5045, DUNEDIN. Phone: 03 477 4000; ext: 3231 Email: [email protected] 4 Candidate Information for the 2019 Elections Role of Electoral Officer Election Principles The role of the electoral officer (EO) is to conduct the election in The electoral principles contained in section 4 of the LEA are accordance with the legislation. outlined below. The principles must be taken into account in the The EO has complete and final control over how the election is conduct of any election or poll. carried out. The EO is employed by Council and is accountable “4 Principles to the chief executive of the Council, but does not take direction (1) The principles that this Act is designed to implement are the from the CE, or elected or appointed members. following: The EO is responsible for all staff, systems, resources, policies, (a) fair and effective representation for individuals and procedures and actions to ensure that the democratic process communities: is carried out with utmost integrity, security and fairness for all (b) all qualified persons have a reasonable and equal parties. opportunity to — The conduct of local body elections is strictly regulated by (i) cast an informed vote: legislation including: (ii) nominate 1 or more candidates: • Local Electoral Act 2001 (iii) accept nomination as a candidate: • Local Electoral Regulations 2001 (c) public confidence in, and public understanding of, local • Local Government Act 2002 electoral processes through— • Sale of Liquor Act 1989 (i) he provision of a regular election cycle: • NZ Public Health and Disability Act 2000 (ii) the provision of elections that are managed • Local Authorities (Members Interests) Act 1968. independently from the elected body: Specific duties of the electoral officer as outlined in Section 15 of (iii) protection of the freedom of choice of voters and the the Local Electoral Act are: secrecy of the vote: • The compilation and certification of electoral rolls (iv) the provision of transparent electoral systems and • The publication of any public notice relating to elections and voting methods and the adoption of procedures that polls produce certainty in electoral outcomes: • Calling for and receiving nominations, candidate profile (v) the provision of impartial mechanisms for resolving statements and deposits disputed elections and polls. • Issuing and receiving of ordinary and special votes (2) Local authorities, electoral officers, and other electoral • Processing and counting of votes officials must, in making decisions under this Act or any other enactment, take into account those principles specified • Declaration of results in subsection (1) that are applicable (if any), so far as is • Receiving and dealing with returns of electoral expenses. practicable in the circumstances.” Queries regarding the actions or performance of the electoral officer for Otago Regional Council should be directed to Nick Donnelly, General Manager Corporate Services (ORC), on (03) 474 0827. 5 Candidate Information for the 2019 Elections Election Timetable 2019 Local Government Election Timetable From 1 July (Monday) 2019 nomination documents available From 17 July (Wednesday) Public notice of election – Otago Daily Times 19 July (Friday) Nominations open, electoral roll open for inspection 24 July (Wednesday) Candidate Information Presentation – 7pm. See details below. 16 August (Friday) Nominations close at 12 noon, Electoral roll closes From 21 August (Wednesday) Further public notice of election