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

A poll is required to countermand that resolution.

Unless a poll is demanded by the public by 11 December 2023, as per the requirements below, the STV electoral system will be used for the 2025 and 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 the number of electors enrolled as eligible to vote at the previous triennial election of the Otago Regional Council.
• Delivered to the office of the Otago Regional Council, Level 2, Philip Laing House, 144 Rattray Street, Private Bag 1954, Dunedin, no later than 11 December 2023.

The name of the elector must appear on any of the electoral rolls of the territorial authorities within the Otago Region, or be included in the most recently published electoral roll for any electoral district under the Electoral Act 1993, or be currently the subject of a direction by the Chief Registrar in relation to unpublished names.  The address for which the elector is registered as a parliamentary elector must be within the local government area of the Otago Region.

Every elector who signs a demand must also set out in it his or her full name and the address for which he or she is qualified as an elector of the Otago Regional Council.