Yesterday there were 24 official nominations for 14 vacancies on the Dunedin City Council, and five nominations for mayor.
But the flow of candidates for community boards has been more of a trickle.
The Star contacted community board chairpeople about the situation, and of those who responded most remained positive and expected a rush of last-minute nominations.
Each community board had six vacancies to fill.
Yesterday at noon there were three nominations on each of the Strath Taieri, Mosgiel-Taieri and Saddle Hill community boards and four nominations for the Waikouaiti Coast community board.
The Otago Peninsula Community Board was looking a little more healthy with five nominations.
But the West Harbour Community Board had only one nomination.
Saddle Hill Community Board chairman Scott Weatherall said five of the six current board members had expressed an interesting in standing again, including himself, and he knew of another three people from the community who planned to stand.
"People just need to get their act together and get their nominations in, and we should have eight candidates for the board," he said.
"That means we will have an election, which is nice — it gives people an opportunity to put their thoughts forward."
Otago Peninsula Community Board chairman Paul Pope, who had already put forward his own nomination, also believed there would be a last-minute rush to make enough candidates for a board election.
"It is a big commitment to make over three years, so people take some time to think about whether they have the time and energy to devote to it," Mr Pope said.
Mosgiel Taieri Community Board chairwoman Joy Davis was not running for the community board this year, but for the Dunedin City Council instead.
She encouraged anyone thinking about standing for their community board to take up the opportunity and contribute to shaping the future of the city.
"We need people from all walks of life to serve and represent our communities."
West Harbour Community Board chairwoman Francisca Griffin was stepping down and was concerned only one person had so far put their name forward for election.
"I know there are other people who are planning to put in nominations, and I would urge anyone who is thinking about it to give it a go," she said.
After six years on the board, including the past three years as chairwoman, Ms Griffin felt it was now "someone else’s turn" to take on the community advocacy role.
Waikouaiti Coast Community Board chairman Alasdair Morrison said it was nothing new that nominations came in at the last minute.
"That is what always seems to happen."
He understood five of the six existing board members for Waikouaiti Coast were standing again, with one standing for council.
There were another couple of people in the background "bubbling away" who were trying to make up their minds, he said.
"We will likely have a full house I would think."
Deputy electoral officer Clare Sullivan said she expected further nominations before they closed at noon tomorrow.
If a community board had the same or fewer number of nominations than vacancies, those candidates would be elected unopposed.
If there were any remaining vacancies, a by-election would be held, she said.
A community board could meet provided it had a quorum of four members, including the Dunedin City Councillor appointed to the board.
Nominations close at noon tomorrow.
Voting begins on September 16 and will close at noon on October 8.
Candidate meetings
From next week, the Dunedin Ratepayers Association will host a series of "meet the candidates" meetings, including candidates for Dunedin City Council and Otago Regional Council.
Monday, August 15: Brighton Rugby Club
Wednesday, August 17: Fire Station Theatre, Mosgiel
Tuesday, August 23: St Peter’s Church hall, Hillside Rd.
Thursday, August 25: North East Valley School
Wednesday, August 31: Waikouaiti Presbyterian Church hall
Monday, September 5: Kaikorai Bowling Club
Tuesday, September 6: Port Chalmers Pioneer Hall
Thursday, September 8: Macandrew Bay Hall
Tuesday, September 13: Mayoral Forum at Burns Hall, First Church.
All meetings at 7pm, public welcome.
