Voting has opened in the Dunedin City Council by-election.
Residents started receiving voting papers in the mail yesterday and the council has recommended posting completed ballots no later than May 7.
The polls close at noon on May 12.
The by-election was called to replace Cr Jules Radich, who died in January.
Fourteen candidates are standing for election.
They include several former councillors — Bill Acklin, Carmen Houlahan, Aaron Hawkins, Andrew Whiley and Conrad Stedman.
Also standing are Jo Galer, Lync Aronson, Garreth Ottley, Pamela Taylor, Richard Knights, Lianna MacFarlane, Angela McErlane, Gordon Dickson and Angus Mackay.
Council deputy electoral officer Robyn Dillon said residents should not worry if their voting papers did not arrive immediately.
People on the electoral roll by March 2 should receive the ballots in the post by April 24.
If that was not the case, residents could cast a special vote.
Special voting papers can be collected from the electoral office in the Civic Centre.
Voting papers could be returned by post or put in orange voting bins around the city.
“We’re encouraging everyone to get out and vote and help decide who joins the council table,” Mrs Dillon said.
The electoral system being used is single transferable vote, which was also used for the Dunedin City Council elections last October.
This means voters rank candidates in order of preference.
Voters can rank as many, or few, candidates as they like.
“You don’t need to rank all the candidates — only the ones you support being elected.
“Remember, if you rate them, rank them.”
In the end, one candidate will receive enough support to be elected.