Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) has launched a campaign encouraging people to vote in this year’s local government election.

QLDC chief executive Mike Theelen said the idea behind the new campaign, ‘Do you remember your first time…voting?’, is to reach people not traditionally high in voter turnout numbers and those who may not have previously thought about voting.

In the 2019 local body election just under half the population - 49.05 percent, or 11,522 people - turned out to vote.

“We hope to grab their attention with a campaign that is a bit cheeky and eye-catching,” he said. 

“More importantly – we want people to think about voting and act on it.”

While statistics about the demographic backgrounds of voters and non-voters in the last election are hard to come by, QLDC has aimed to attract a wide audience, spokesperson Sam White said.

“QLDC’s own campaigns, firstly to generate interest amongst potential candidates and now encouraging people to vote, have deliberately targeted a diverse range of ages, ethnicities and backgrounds.”

Enrolled voters will receive their voting papers in the mail in a bright orange envelope between September 16 and 21 which will include instructions on how to vote as well as a candidate information booklet.

Mike said he strongly encouraged every eligible person in the district to read up on the candidates and take part in this election.

See also: Four quick questions for Upper Clutha candidates

“Elected members make some very important decisions for the district, including determining what the priorities for council are, and shaping the future of the place we live in,” he said. 

“It’s a chance for you to vote for the candidates who represent your views or values, whether that’s on climate change, infrastructure, the local economy, parks and community facilities, or something else entirely.”

PHOTO: Supplied