Local Government Minister Rodney Hide has poured cold water on the idea of a return to ballot boxes as an answer to the problem of plummeting voter numbers at local body elections.
Figures for Dunedin dropped to just 47.4% at the last election, and across New Zealand, only 44% of those enrolled to vote did so.
Dr Jacky Zvulun, who in his 2009 University of Otago PhD studied voter turnout and electoral participation in New Zealand, said in an Otago Daily Times article on Saturday while the postal voting system used was a good system, an election day with ballot boxes on the final day of the election period would help.
Asked by email for his reaction to the suggestion, Mr Hide responded that the reintroduction of election-day ballot boxes was unlikely to result in greater voter participation.
"Voters can already return their voting documents by hand to council offices.
"Postal voting is certainly more convenient, and a combination of postal votes and polling booth voting may confuse voters.
"I should point out that, when postal voting was first introduced in Auckland City, voter turnout doubled between 1983 and 1986.
"And when Hutt City reverted to booth voting in 1992, turnout plummeted to 26%."
Mr Hide said while he was concerned about the decline in voting participation, he was "aware that the causes are varied and in line with international trends".
"We [the Government] are considering a range of actions, including the promotion of better understanding of the role and importance of local government, particularly among youth.
"Among the initiatives now in place is the promotion of parallel kids' voting in schools, at the same time as council elections."
The Government had also received a recommendation on the introduction of electronically-enhanced voting, which would allow overseas voters to download and return voting documents electronically.
"We also need to take a look at better co-ordinating of election publicity and information."
Mr Hide also responded, through a spokeswoman, as to why recommendations from Parliament's justice and electoral committee, following inquiries after the 2004 and 2007 elections, which included calls for more education, a reduction in the voting period, and a final day ballot-box voting day, had not been implemented.
"Since taking office, the minister has given a higher priority to strategic issues such as the Auckland governance reforms, addressing problems at Environment Canterbury, and legislation to enhance the transparency, accountability and financial accountability of local government.
"However, following the 2010 local elections, he could consider the need for any changes, including those recommended by the committee."
