Candidate Disruption at Auckland Polling Place Leads to Police Inquiry

A dispute at a polling location in Auckland has prompted an investigation by local police. The incident occurred at Onehunga Library when Debbie Burrows, a candidate for the Maungakiekie local board, attempted to halt the acceptance of votes after the official deadline of 12:00 PM on March 23, 2024. This chaotic scene unfolded as hundreds of voters were queuing to cast their special votes, leading to allegations that Burrows was photographing voters.

The voting process saw a significant number of ballots drop-off, with approximately 67,000 votes submitted at 250 locations across the city in the final 24 hours before the deadline. Despite this effort, Auckland’s voter turnout remained low, recorded at 28.7 percent for the elections, which is nearly 7 percentage points lower than the previous election in 2022.

During the incident, library staff informed Burrows that individuals who were already inside the library before the cutoff time could continue to vote. Despite this, Burrows insisted that voting should be stopped, leading to a confrontation with voters who objected to being photographed. Witnesses noted that tensions escalated as Burrows raised the name of Dale Ofsoske, the returning officer, in her attempt to intervene.

Former MP and Labour list member Priyanca Radhakrishnan, who was also present, expressed concern over Burrows’ actions, interpreting them as potential voter suppression. Radhakrishnan attempted to contact Ofsoske to clarify the situation, as many voters felt pressured by Burrows’ presence.

In response to the incident, Ofsoske confirmed that police were investigating the matter. He stated, “Those within the library when voting closed at 12 noon were legitimately able to cast their vote,” emphasizing the rights of voters already present. The library incident was the only major disruption reported on the day, with efficient processing of votes recorded from all locations.

The low voter turnout has sparked renewed discussions about voting accessibility in Auckland. Wayne Brown, the Mayor of Auckland, suggested that a return to all-day, in-person voting could encourage greater participation. He noted that the demographics of voters may play a role in the turnout, stating, “In local government, ratepayers generally vote, and renters tend not to.”

Auckland Council’s general manager for governance and engagement, Lou-Ann Ballantyne, expressed disappointment over the turnout, highlighting ongoing efforts to make voting more accessible. A recent review by council officials suggested implementing a combination of postal and booth voting to enhance voter participation in future elections.

While discussions continue regarding possible reforms for the 2025 elections, including extending voting hours, budget constraints remain a significant concern. Despite the challenges, the Auckland Council is committed to exploring various avenues to increase voter engagement.

The preliminary count of votes, including the ballots from the final hours, is expected to be released on March 25, 2024, with the final results made public by March 29, 2024. As the investigation unfolds, the implications of the Onehunga Library incident could lead to further scrutiny of voting practices in Auckland and beyond.