Cranking system new zealand

The cranking system in New Zealand!

In New Zealand, the cranking system refers to the process of voting in local body elections, which are held every three years. The system is used to elect representatives to local authorities, such as city or district councils, regional councils, and territorial authorities.

Here's how it works:

  1. Voter registration: Eligible voters (New Zealand citizens or permanent residents aged 18 or over) register to vote with their local electoral office.
  2. Candidate nomination: Candidates from various political parties or as independents nominate themselves to stand for election.
  3. Voting: Voters receive a voting paper with the names of all candidates and are asked to rank their preferred candidates in order of preference (1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc.).
  4. Counting: The votes are counted using a preferential voting system, where the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated and their votes are redistributed to the remaining candidates based on the next available preference.
  5. Election outcome: The candidate with the most votes at the end of the counting process is declared the winner.

The cranking system is designed to ensure that the winner of the election is the candidate who has the support of the majority of voters, rather than just a plurality. It's a way to ensure that voters' preferences are taken into account and that the outcome reflects the will of the people.

In New Zealand, the cranking system is used for local body elections, but not for national elections, which use a different voting system.