New recommendations to try raise local government voter turnout

A new report from the Local Government Electoral Reform Working group, suggests 20 ways to encourage voting numbers in local elections.

They include four year council terms and replicating the successful parliamentary election system.

Nelson Mayor and group chair, Nick Smith says local voter turnout is at 40 percent, so change is required. . He says the mandate of Mayors and councils are being challenged by a turnout of just 40 percent.