Suffrage

As permanent residents, we have the right to vote here.  Registering to vote is compulsory in NZ (although actually voting is not), and we filled out our applications at the Post Shop almost as soon as we arrived.  Now we get our first chance to cast our ballots!

All voting in NZ is by post; there are no polling places.  We were sent our official voting packs recently, containing the information book, voting sheet, and a FreePost envelope in which to return the ballot.

This election is for the mayor and council members.  The information book contains biographies that the candidates have written about themselves.  They range from the smooth lines of the incumbent...

John BANKS, Independent:
John Banks stands for careful spending and decisive leadership. He will use his thirty years of political and business experience to keep your rates down, seek better value for your money and deliver you the benefits of savings. As a former Police Minister he will focus on your safety and security, establishing a strong relationship with Auckland's Police and investing in CCTV and other security initiatives. John will fix Auckland's economic infrastructure, promoting jobs and opportunities for you through tourism and events. John will deliver modern integrated public transport using trains, ferries and buses and important roading projects − giving you choices in how you travel. John will ensure that arts and culture thrives in every corner of this region, protecting our heritage and our environment and ensuring that the unique local identity of our valued communities is preserved and enhanced.  Visit www.johnbanks.co.nz to see his policies for Auckland.

To the guy who is clearly having a bit of a laugh:

Craig THOMAS:
Jedi Craig − A Super Jedi for a super city My name is Craig Thomas, I am a Jedi. For too long the Jedi Order and politics have been kept separate. But no more. The Auckland Council is desperately in need of my infinite Jedi wisdom. The dark side of long standing ineffectual politicians has lead to much fear in our city, as every Jedi knows, fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering and this is the path to the dark side. A vote for Jedi Craig is a vote against the clone army of conventional politicians. Craig is committed to delivering common sense, wisdom and balance to a Council that needs a new approach.  Support light−sabre based progress. Do, or do not, there is no try − Vote for Jedi Craig. (Join the Rebel Alliance today by searching 'Jedi Craig' on Facebook)

There are a high proportion of curious biographies, actually, some of them bordering on tinfoil-hat incoherence.  The reason?  It only costs $200 to get on the ballot.  I wonder if there is a similar repository of biographies from the 2003 California gubernatorial recall election?  I bet that would be good for a laugh.

--This episode of South Seas Style brought to you by New Zealand:  the first country with voting rights for women (1893).