“Get Out And Vote” Campaign

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31781, 11 September 1968, Page 16

“Get Out And Vote” Campaign

Christchurch Jaycees, concerned at public apathy in Christchurch towards localbody elections, have organised a “get out and vote” campaign.

“The proportion of people who vote is far too small, and the fact that some city councillors are elected on what amounts to less than one-fifth the number of potential votes in the area is far from satisfactory,” said the convener of a committee set up by the South Christchurch chapter of Jaycees (Mr C. J. Ridge) yesterday. Many people were not on the roll because they did not realise the local-body roll was separate from the general electoral roll. Many could not be bothered enrolling, but booths placed about the city could help remedy this, he said.

All five chapters of Jaycees are involved in the campaign, which will be based on a

“Hector the Elector” sticker and the following slogans: “Get out and vote”; “Your vote is vital": and “Make your X on election day.” Stickers would be placed around the city over the next week or two to make the public familiar with “Hector,” Mr Ridge said. The campaign would be intensified over the two weeks before election day, October 12, using broadcasting, newspapers, and posters in buses and in letterboxes. “The City Council, and local borough and county councils are aware of the importance of our project and the City Council has given up $lOO towards the cost,” Mr Ridge said.