Notice is given under section 28(1) of the Local Electoral Act 2001, that under Section 29 the electors of the Otago Regional Council have the right to demand a poll on the electoral system to be used for the elections of the Otago Regional Council. The choice is between the First Past the Post (FPP) and the Single Transferable Vote (STV) electoral systems.

The Otago Regional Council resolved at its meeting on 23 August 2023 to change the electoral system to Single Transferable Vote for the 2025 and 2028 local body elections.

Unless a poll is demanded by the public by 11 December 2026, as per the requirements below, the STV electoral system will be used for the 2028 elections of the Otago Regional Council.

A valid demand for a poll must be:

• Made by notice in writing.

• Signed by at least 5 percent of eligible electors of the Otago Regional Council. This will require a minimum of 8549 valid elector signatures.

• Every elector who signs a demand must also include their full name and the address for which they qualified as an elector or ratepayer elector of the Otago Regional Council.

• Delivered to the office of the Otago Regional Council, 180 High Street, Private Bag 1954, Dunedin, no later than 4.30pm, Friday 11 December 2026.

Should a valid demand for a poll be received by 11 December 2026, the poll will be held no later than 28 March 2027 and will have effect for the 2028 and 2031 elections. If the valid demand for a poll is received after 11 December 2026, then the poll will be held after 28 March 2027 and will have effect for the 2031 and 2034 elections.

Richard Saunders
Chief Executive