It uses the single-vote, first-past-the-post system, making it the only local body in Dunedin to stick with that format.
If the council wants to change its voting system for the 2013 elections, it has only until September 12 to make that choice.
Only two electoral systems are available for local body elections - either first-past-the-post or the single-transferable-vote (STV).
Council corporate services director Wayne Scott said in a report there were three options available to council. They could resolve to change to STV by September 12, then notify the public of the decision and its right to demand a poll. If 5% of electors demanded a binding poll, one would have to be held.
Another option was for the council to express the intention of holding a poll, but defer a decision, although ensuring a resolution was made before February 28 next year.
The third option was to do nothing and if no poll was demanded by the public by February 28, first-past-the-post would continue to be used.
The Act also made provision for establishing Maori constituencies and a decision on whether or not to do that did not need to be made until November.
The council was also required to undertake a representation review before the next elections.
As the council's constituencies did not meet fair representation ratios, staff were beginning work on possible options for the council to consider, Mr Scott said.
