Council votes to retain STV voting system

Kāpiti Coast District Councillors today passed a resolution to retain the Single Transferrable Voting (STV) voting system for Kāpiti Coast local body elections.

There are two electoral systems in use for local body elections in New Zealand – STV and First Past the Post (FPP). Under the Local Electoral Act 2001 local authorities must carry out a Representation Review, this includes a review of their voting system, every six years.

The STV system is a form of preferential voting. Electors have a single vote and rank candidates in the order they prefer. STV was used by 14% of local authorities in 2019 (11 out of 78) including the Kāpiti Coast District Council.

Kāpiti Coast District Council Electoral Officer, Katrina Shieffelbein, says the Kāpiti Coast District has used the STV system for every local body election since the option first became available in 2004.

“Today’s decision means that the Council will continue to use the Single Transferable Voting system as the preferred electoral system for the next two triennial elections, and any associated election. This includes the upcoming Waikanae Community Board by-election.”

Council’s decision to retain the STV system will be publicly notified by 19 September 2020 in accordance with statutory requirements including the public’s right to demand a poll on this decision.