Dale-Maree Morgan
Waipā ratepayers paid nearly $74 for each vote cast in the by-election won by Dale-Maree Morgan last month.
The cost of running the election to replace Māori ward district councillor Takena Stirling was $22,932.33. A total of 311 votes were cast – a 13.11 per cent return.
Just over $20,000 went to Christchurch contractor ElectionNZ and the rest covered advertising, voting stickers and graphic design.
The local body election last year cost ratepayers $9.23 a vote when 39.65 percent of voters had their say.
Significant changes are being considered on the local body scene, one which could lift voting rates.
There are calls to lower the voting age to 16 – and that change is one of a raft which are likely to be put to the Government before the end of year. A second round of public consultation on changes ended this week.
