MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS

Evening Star, Issue 23861, 16 April 1941, Page 6

MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS

COMPANY VOTING POSITIDH CLARIFIED Voting by companies,' incorporated bodies, or partners was abolished' by statute prior to last municipal elections, but, despite this, the town clerk (Mr R. A. Johnston) advises that he ia again receiving notices from companies to the effect that they have appointed some person to vote on their behalf. Considerable publicity was given prior to last municipal elections to the fact that such appointments were no longer effective, but-it seems that the position must be restated. The only person who can vote in respect of any property owned by any company, incorporated body, or association of persons is the person whose name appears on the current valuation roll as the “ occupier ” of such property, or, in other words, the person who is legally responsible for the ipayment of the rates. In terms of statute the name of such person is transferred to the district electors’ roll as the voter. If it so happens that such person is also a ratepayer in his own right, hi* name also appears on the valuation roll as the occupier or ratepayer in respect of his private property, but, and this i* the important point, his name can appear only once on the district electors’ roll. Such elector has one vote only, irrespective of the number of properties he mav own.

The valuation roll closes each year on January 15, and after that date it is not possible to make any alteration therein to take effect during the current rating year.