Auckland Council to return to in-person voting for 2028 elections

Auckland Council has decided to return to in-person booth voting for the 2028 local elections, making it the first council in New Zealand to use booths since 1992. The decision followed a 13-to-3 vote by the Governing Body, driven by concerns regarding ballot fraud, vote rigging, and theft reported during the 2025 elections in the Ōtara-Papatoetoe and Manurewa local boards, as well as low voter turnout.

The shift from postal voting presents significant financial implications. Staff estimates suggest postal voting would cost ratepayers $16 million, whereas booth voting for a 10 or 20-day election could cost $39 million. Mayor Wayne Brown suggested a middle-ground approach to manage costs, though council executives noted that reducing booth-related expenses to a $20 million target would be difficult to achieve.