People who are yet to vote in the Tauranga City Council election are being urged to take their voting papers to the council's libraries or Willow Street service centre before midday Saturday.

The election is mostly being conducted by mail, but people can also vote in person at some council locations.

The council's deputy electoral officer, Robyn Garrett, says any votes posted in the mail from today (Wednesday, October 9) might not be received in time for the close of voting, which is midday on Saturday.

Therefore, people should deliver their votes in person to a council library or the service centre at 91 Willow Street.

The service centre will stay open until 8pm on Friday and will also open on Saturday morning to give people a last chance to vote.

'It's really important for the people of Tauranga to choose who will represent them on Council for the next three years,” Robyn says.

'If you haven't voted yet by mail, then please grab this chance to vote in person.”

People who haven't enrolled to vote or haven't received their voting papers in the mail can cast a special vote at the service centre (but not at libraries). No special documentation is needed for this – not even an ID – but you must be eligible to vote.

Council is using the STV voting system for the first time.

This means that voters rank their preferred candidates with numbers (1, 2, 3, etc) instead of putting ticks by their names.

Voters can rank as many or as few candidates as they wish.

Council's election webpage has more information on enrolment, candidates, voting and STV.

It's at www.tauranga.govt.nz/elections.

Voting locations

Council service centre (91 Willow Street):

• Wednesday 8am-5pm
• Thursday 8am-5pm
• Friday 8am-8pm
• Saturday 9am-midday

Council library Papamoa

• Wednesday 9.30am-5.30pm
• Thursday 9.30am-5.30pm
• Friday 9.30am-5.30pm
• Saturday 9.30am-midday

Council libraries Greerton, Mount Maunganui

• Wednesday 9.30am-5pm
• Thursday 9.30am-5pm
• Friday 9.30am-5pm
• Saturday 9.30am-midday

Special votes

Council service centre (91 Willow Street):

• Wednesday 8am-5pm
• Thursday 8am-5pm
• Friday 8am-8pm
• Saturday 9am-midday

Not available at libraries