With only seven working days left until the Queenstown Lakes District Council by-election closes, eligible residents are being urged to have a voice.

"Everyone in the Wakatipu Ward should have received their voting papers by now. If you are sitting at home wondering where they have got to, then either call or visit the Council and we can issue you with voting papers but people need to act now," QLDC election officer Jo Schmelz said.

There were 8149 eligible voters in the Wakatipu Ward.

"The returns to date show that as of today only 2028 people have exercised their right to vote, that equates to only 24.9 percent," Ms Schmelz said.

Traditionally voters left their run until the last minute.

"I really encourage people to get their votes returned rather than risk losing the papers or forgetting," Miss Schmelz said.

Votes must be returned by noon on Wednesday, June 22, 2005.

"At the moment you can return your vote by using the freepost envelope with the voting papers but on the final day you will have to literally hand deliver your vote to the Queenstown Council office prior to midday," she said.

ENDS

For further information please contact Jo Schmelz 03 441 0499.

By: Tamah