An animal blessing, a health system still in crisis and the final countdown to the local body elections

[If you are unable to view this message correctly, click here]( [stuff header]( Hi {NAME}, The final week of voting ahead of the October 8 election day is both the most important and the most woeful in the postal voting system used to elect local government. In 2019, the final week of the three-week period accounted for just over half of all votes cast being returned for counting. It was also the week in which 65% of eligible Auckland voters missed their last chance to have a say. A part of that number can be put down to how difficult it is for many to vote. After Tuesday, New Zealand Post does not guarantee that completed papers put in their mailboxes will be delivered in time to count. Maybe they will, maybe not. At that point, the ultimate test of voter commitment begins. How badly do you want your vote to count - and how much effort are you prepared to make - to get your vote there? More than 100,000 votes were probably in the “too hard” basket from day one. About 114,000 enrolment packs were returned unopened from addresses they were delivered to in August. Some of those 114,000 will have made the effort to [late enrol and special vote]( but with [a 35% total turnout in 2019]( you’d have to assume not many did. Then there are the voting papers that residents say never turned up. Auckland Council has [added about 150 collection points]( on top of the 377 (and declining) NZ mailboxes around the city for the first time, including Countdown supermarkets. In 2019, 18% got to the point of completing papers but not returning them and council surveys show it’s the older, property-owning residents more likely to vote. Those who correctly provided overseas addresses have started receiving papers, almost too late to post them back - the scan and email option available for general elections is not allowed. If [online voting is not the answer]( then a network of in-person options resembling a general election must be considered. Auckland Council could have done more. But that would have required politicians voting for a bigger budget than they did. [user profile pic] Todd Niall Senior Stuff Journalist [See more Auckland news]( [Privacy Info]( [Privacy Info]( [Watch this video now]( Auckland Council's books are in the black but economic climate 'hard to predict' Auckland Council has finished the financial year in better shape than at times had been forecast, but warns the [economic environment ahead is “hard to predict]( ”. The council’s annual report, released on Friday morning, underlined the [previously released financial results]( showing a $951 million operating surplus, before one-off adjustments and debt of $11.1 billion – largely used to fund construction projects. [Read More]( [Privacy Info]( More Auckland stories you might have missed [Article Image] Some GPs booked out until November even as winter Covid and flu crisis eases [Read more button]( [Article Image] For the love of dog: Aucklanders celebrate annual Blessing of the Animals [Read more button]( [Article Image] People 'lucky to be alive' after boat capsizes near Muriwai Beach [Read more button]( [Article Image] Auckland's leading mayoral candidates support online voting option to arrest poor turnout [Read more button]( [Support Stuff]( [Discover more Auckland news at Stuf]( You are receiving this email because you are opted in to receive the Your Auckland newsletter. [Unsubscribe]( [Manage your profile]( [Privacy Policy]( Did a friend forward you this email? [Sign up to get Your Auckland in your inbox]( Stuff, 4 Williamson Ave, Ponsonby, Auckland, 1021, New Zealand