PART 1

ELECTIONS

Voting systems for elections to principal councils

The voting system that applies
7
1
This section provides for the voting system that applies to electing councillors of a principal council in a poll at a contested election.
2
The simple majority system provided for by local elections rules applies, unless and until the council changes the voting system for the first time.
3
But in the case of a principal council constituted by regulations under Part 7 (mergers and restructuring), the voting system provided for in the regulations applies, unless and until the council changes the voting system for the first time after the first ordinary election of councillors to the council.
4
After a principal council has changed the voting system for the first time (including the first time after a principal council is established), the system to which the council has most recently decided to change applies (subject to subsection (6)).
5
If a principal council changes its voting system, the change takes effect at the first ordinary election of councillors that takes place after the council passes the resolution required by section 9 and continues in effect unless and until the system is changed again.
6
But in a poll for an election to fill a casual vacancy in the office of councillor that takes place before the first ordinary election of councillors after the principal council passes the resolution required by section 9, the voting system that applied at the last ordinary election applies.