It’s local election time and reading through this year’s candidate booklet, I’m reminded why I have never voted in local elections. I can’t summon any enthusiasm for the candidates. Voting is important and I have voted in every general election since I turned 18, but local elections…? Not once.
The voting booklet is peppered with a huge variety of candidates from serious runners to society’s extremists. The terrible writing makes me wonder if the whole thing is a joke or just a soapbox for crazies to mount every few years.
Tell me who to vote for. Please.
Click here to see more editions of Tofu Tuesday.
Bunny Eats Design 
TOFU FOR PRESIDENT!
I like the sound of that!
If you would like to be thoroughly uninspired about voting, you should move to Australia.
What a pack of muppets we have!!!
xxx >
I’m passionate about voting because I believe that without the voting system we leave ourselves open to lazy management because we remove the accountability factor – if no one votes, then what does a politician have to win or lose? I haven’t voted in local elections because they bored me and lacked any interesting candidates, then we got the current situation where we someone like Len brown who thinks he can do what he wants and we say ‘ok, build a pink cycle way for $26 million that no one uses’ or $10k on your desk’ – for me, politics is no longer about parties or left or right – its about leadership and ownership, based on that I’ve decided to get behind Vic Crone. Not saying you should vote for her because your vote is your own but you should vote – that’s my rant over for the day; thanks for asking! 🙂
I plan on voting in this local election but it will be a case of picking a stranger who doesn’t horrify me…out of a bunch of strangers. I know it’s my duty to research but it’s hard to know what someone’s about just by reading a profile but at least the ones I absolutely won’t be voting for are obvious.
I voted for Vic Crone because I’ve worked with her in the past when she ran Chorus and Xero and from that I know what type of leader she is and I know I can trust her process. Just a personal opinion
I’ve always felt that it’s more important to voice locally because local government has more of an impact on our daily lives. Both are important. I read somewhere that you will get find if you don’t vote in Australia, I think it’s a good concept. Select the person who best lines up with your needs and beliefs.
Mandatory voting is an interesting idea. What happens to people who do not vote?
Silly auto correct, in Oz you get a hefty fine (not find) if you don’t vote!
Please vote! It’s super-important. The council website is showyourlove.co.nz and it has more info on the candidates in your area. The Spinoff has endorsed its preferred candidates, and so have Gen Zero (based on what aligns with their raison d’être, of course.) There’s a map showing your closest post box on the council website also. I’m a super-passionate geek about this stuff but it affects so many very important things in Auckland – namely, transport, housing affordability, how vibrant Akl is,, how many events there are (including food events)!
Thanks Hayley for the links! Super helpful. Hope all is well with you (and your bun).
Sometimes trying to figure out whom to vote for in local elections makes as much sense as the brochure information makes to a blind bunny. I feel your pain. But, alas, I vote.
I got my voting papers in the post recently too – sent over the ditch. I always vote in the general elections, and the flag referendum, of course! But local? I voted when I lived in Auckland but this time around I simply had a chuckle at some of the wacky candidates then chucked it in the bin. I’m too disconnected from Auckland these days to apply my energy to this particular election.
That’s exactly how I feel. I’ve voted every general and for the flag but local this will be my first time.