Central Otago voters have until midday today (Saturday October 11) to drop off their local election voting papers. 

While the Alexandra Council Service Centre at 1 Dunorling Street is the only council office open this morning, other drop-off locations remain available until noon, including: 

• Cromwell Library, New World and FreshChoice 
• Alexandra Library, New World and Woolworths 
• Maniototo Four Square 
• Roxburgh FreshChoice 

At the Alexandra Service Centre voters can take advantage of a drive-through drop-off service running from 9am to 12 noon. 

In a novelty message on Facebook, the council said, “Still need to vote, but don’t want to get out of your car? Just drive up, drop off your voting papers, and go”.  

Its aim: To top 50 percent voter turnout. 

“Every vote helps shape our future,” the council said in its post. 

As of Friday evening (October 10), 47.33 percent of Central Otago’s 17,915 enrolled voters had already had their say - 8,480 people in total.  

That’s up from 43.44 percent at the same point in 2022, though down on earlier years - 52.25 percent in 2019 and 59.1 percent in 2016. 

By ward, turnout so far is: 

• Maniototo: 62.76 percent (873 voters) 
• Teviot Valley: 55.37 percent (711 voters) 
• Vincent: 47.07 percent (3,881 voters) 
• Cromwell: 43.1 percent (3,015 voters) 

Provisional results are expected from Saturday afternoon, giving residents their first look at who will represent them for the next three years around community board and district council tables, as well as represent the Dunstan constituency on Otago Regional Council.

The mayoral race is one to watch.  

Mayor Tamah Alley, who stepped into the role after Tim Cadogan resigned to join water regulator Taumata Arowai, is seeking to be officially elected to the top spot.  

She’s up against Charlie Sanders of Cromwell and Mark Quinn of Teviot Valley. Both men are also standing for council seats, while Tamah is running for mayor only. 

Another key contest will be among the seven candidates vying for the four local seats on the regional council. 

Retiring deputy mayor Neil Gillespie - who has served 27 years at district level - is hoping to retain a public office, while returning councillors Michael Laws and Gary Kelliher, running under the Vision Otago banner, are also seeking re-election. 

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