Local Electoral Regulations 2001

In the case of multi-member vacancies, votes are counted under the New Zealand method of counting single transferable votes by recognising preferences as provided for in Part 3 and carrying out the steps in clauses 5 to 18 until counting is complete. Counting is complete when the number of successful candidates is equal to the number of vacancies or any of clauses 19 to 23 (which relate to exceptional cases) provide that counting is complete. Counting is also complete when the number of successful candidates and hopeful candidates is equal to the number of vacancies. In this case, the hopeful candidates become successful candidates. When counting is complete, successful candidates are elected.

In this part, unless the context otherwise requires,—

Calculate a quota using the following formula:

A candidate whose first preferences equal or exceed the quota becomes successful.

Give each successful candidate a keep value calculated using the following formula:

Give hopeful candidates a keep value of 1.0.

Give withdrawn candidates a keep value of 0.

Allocate votes from each voting document according to the following scheme:

Calculate a new quota using the following formula:

A hopeful candidate becomes successful if his or her votes equal or exceed the quota.

Exclude the hopeful candidate with the least votes if the sum of his or her votes and the total surplus is less than the votes of any other hopeful candidate or if the total surplus is less than 0.0001.

In clause 13, total surplus means the sum of all candidates’ surpluses. Surplus means the number of votes that a candidate has in excess of the quota.

Repeat the operations set out in the second step with the changes set out in clauses 16 and 17.

Set the keep value of excluded candidates to 0.

Use the following formula instead of the formula in clause 7:

If 1 or more of clauses 19 to 23 apply, the operations in steps in clauses 5 to 17 must be modified by carrying out the operations set out in the clause or clauses that apply.

This clause applies if a candidate with the lowest number of votes is to be excluded but 2 or more candidates share the lowest number of votes. If this clause applies, exclude the candidate identified by the AAFD method as the candidate to exclude. If the AAFD method does not identify a single candidate to exclude, exclude the candidate with the lowest PRN.

This clause applies to any candidate who, at the commencement of step 1, has no first preferences and no other preferences. A candidate to whom this clause applies, becomes withdrawn.

This clause applies if, at the commencement of step 1, there are fewer candidates with votes than positions to be filled. If this clause applies, the candidates who attracted votes are successful, the counting is complete, and, for the avoidance of doubt, the remaining vacancies are extraordinary vacancies.

A candidate becomes withdrawn if, at the commencement of step 1, any of the following provisions apply to him or her: section 71(2) of the Act (which relates to death, incapacity, or invalid or cancelled nomination), section 88(1) of the Act (which relates to a candidate being elected as both mayor and member), or section 88A of the Act (which relates to a candidate being elected as both member and community board member).

This clause applies if the operations in clauses 5 to 22 result in a state where any number of iterations would not result in further candidates becoming excluded or successful. If this clause applies, the candidate with the lowest total votes becomes excluded. Recommence counting at the step following the step at which the stable state occurred.

In this Part, unless the context otherwise requires,—

In the case of single member vacancies, before the commencement of step 1, votes are counted under the New Zealand method of counting single transferable votes by recognising preferences as provided for in Part 3 and by carrying out the steps in clauses 26 to 33 until a candidate is elected.

Determine the absolute majority of votes using the following formula:

A candidate is elected if his or her first preference votes equal or exceed the absolute majority of votes.

If no candidate is elected, the candidate with the fewest first preference votes becomes excluded.

For each voting document on which a withdrawn candidate is the first preference, redistribute that vote to the candidate who is the next preference on that voting document.

For each voting document on which the candidate excluded under clause 28 was the first preference, redistribute that vote to the candidate who is the next preference on that voting document.

A candidate is elected if his or her votes equal or exceed the absolute majority of votes.

If no candidate is elected, repeat the operations in clauses 26 to 31.

If any of clauses 34 to 37 apply, the steps in clauses 26 to 32 must be modified by carrying out the operations set out in the clause or clauses that apply.

This clause applies if—

If this clause applies, in the case of (a), exclude the candidate identified by the AAFD method as the candidate to exclude. If the AAFD method does not identify a candidate to exclude, exclude the candidate with the lowest PRN. In case of (b), the candidate who is not excluded is elected.

This clause applies if, at the commencement of step 1, only 1 candidate has any votes. If this clause applies, that candidate is elected.

Clause 22 applies, with any necessary modifications, to single member vacancies.

In carrying out the operations in Parts 1 and 2, do not recognise—

A voting document that expresses these preferences—

generates the following preferences for the purposes of counting votes:

A voting document that expresses these preferences—

generates the following preferences for the purposes of counting votes:

Do not recognise a preference for a withdrawn candidate. In the case of voting documents that contain a preference for a withdrawn candidate, recognise preferences lower in rank on the same voting document as preferences of the rank stated.

A voting document that expresses these preferences—

generates the following preferences for the purposes of counting votes:

In the case of polls, votes are counted under the single transferable voting system by applying Part 1 or Part 2, with any necessary modifications, as if every reference to a candidate or candidates is a reference to the matter or matters that are the subject of the poll, and references to withdrawn candidates are of no effect.

To use the Ahead At First Difference Method determine which tied candidate, or candidates, did not have more votes than another tied candidate at the earliest step at which the candidates had different numbers of votes. If one candidate is identified, exclude him or her.

Allocate a unique pseudo-random whole number (a PRN number) for each candidate at each stage of the counting.

To generate PRNs, calculate x, y, and z using the following formulae:

Generate a random whole number rc using the following formulae:

Repeat the step in clause 43 four times, discarding the first 4 values of rc.

Assign the current value of rc to the first candidate.

Repeat the step in clause 43 until a pseudo-random number r results that is distinct from all previous pseudo random numbers assigned to candidates. Assign rc to the next candidate.

Repeat the step in clause 43 until all candidates have been assigned a pseudo-random number.

For the second and subsequent steps, replace the pseudo-random number for each candidate with the candidate’s PRN at the previous step subtracted from 10 000.