How STV works

The Council has used this system since 2004 when it first became an option.

How to vote using STV

STV is a proportional electoral system where you vote by ranking candidates in order of your preference.

You rank the candidates with numbers. On your voting paper, put a ‘1’ next to your favourite candidate, ‘2’ next to your second choice, ‘3’ by your third choice, and so on.

You can rank as many or as few candidates as you like (you don’t have to rank them all).

This ranking system means that if your preferred candidate doesn’t get enough votes to be elected or they receive more votes than they need, your vote can transfer to your next choice.

How candidates are elected under STV

In an STV election, candidates must reach a quota or certain number of votes to get elected. This quota is based on the total number of votes and the number of vacant positions.

All first preference votes are counted first. A candidate is elected if they reach the quota. The candidates keep only the proportion of the vote they need to reach the quota and any surplus is transferred to the voter’s second preference.

This continues until all positions are filled. You can read more about how STV works on the Single Transferable Vote website.

History of STV

Before the 2004 local elections, all councils in New Zealand used the First Past the Post (FPP) electoral system, including Wellington. Most councils throughout the country still use the FPP system.

In both 2002 and 2008, Wellingtonians voted to adopt STV by way of referendum.

In August 2020 the Council agreed to retain STV for at least the next two council elections (2022 and 2025).

In New Zealand, fifteen councils currently use the STV system for electing their mayor and councillors.

Contact us

Electoral Officials
Email: election@wcc.govt.nz