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Connor Sharp @connorsharp.bsky.social · 17m

Oooooo boy...

I do wonder if fraud actually happened here, if this might finally be the thing to prompt electoral reform from central government

www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/auckland/...

Electoral fraud complaint filed with police, claims vote papers stolen from letterboxes

Complaints made about alleged vote-stealing from Papatoetoe letterboxes.

www.nzherald.co.nz

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Connor Sharp @connorsharp.bsky.social · 8h

Couple interesting tidbits from Prelim Waitematā results

C&Rs vote share went down by 8400 despite have 7 people instead of 6 this year
City Visions went down by 6200
Independents went up by 2600
Informal's went up by 28
Blank ballots went down by 1500 (Mayor only voters?)

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Connor Sharp @connorsharp.bsky.social · 12h

The most frustrating thing was in this case there were/are a fair few things that were inherently interesting AND public interest!

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Connor Sharp @connorsharp.bsky.social · 1d

From what I've heard, many don't think anything about local govt is interesting enough for people, or of enough importance...

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Reposted by Connor Sharp

TheLoyalOrder @theloyalorder.bsky.social · 1d

local election voting closing at 12 midday is insane

considering general election voting closes 7 hours later and its not nearly advertised enough, most people probably assume its the same - wonder how many people rocked up to drop off a ballot or special vote only to be told it had closed

#xpol

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Reposted by Connor Sharp

Darren Davis @darrendavis.bsky.social · 1d

My latest blog post looks back at a tough year for passenger rail patronage in Aotearoa but looks forward to a much brighter future.

NZ Transit Buzz @nztransitbuzz.bsky.social · 1d

#RailNews: The last year has not been a good one for rail patronage in Aotearoa. So what's up and is it going to get better anytime soon?

By @darrendavis.bsky.social via Adventures in Transitland: adventuresintransitland.substack.com/p/whats-down...

What's down with rail in Aotearoa?

The last year has not been a good one for rail patronage in Aotearoa. So what's up and is it going to get better anytime soon?

adventuresintransitland.substack.com

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Connor Sharp @connorsharp.bsky.social · 2d

Apparently theres over 10,000 special votes... up from about 6,500 in 2022

About 4,500 were accepted in 2022 so I think theres still room to shift in a few Local Board races! (see Puketāpapa)

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Connor Sharp @connorsharp.bsky.social · 2d

Wouldn't something like this be useful idk say, BEFORE THE ELECTION???

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Reposted by Connor Sharp

Jolisa Gracewood @nzdodo.bsky.social · 3d

That feeling when the special votes tip your local board back towards favouring kid-friendly and bike-friendly streets…

A mashup of the sickos meme and classic Calvin & Hobbes, showing Calvin’s dad all togged up for one of his character-building bike rides, looking back through the window and saying “Yes hahaha yes.”

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Connor Sharp @connorsharp.bsky.social · 2d

Ok... in all seriousness, why are so many C&R candidates so... weird? But like not the cool weird, the WTF weird...

It's like one of the Waitematā candidates (the Real Housewife!) saying the City Centre needed more cars so people would notice if you get stabbed and left in the gutter

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Connor Sharp @connorsharp.bsky.social · 3d

Makes me wonder if the media reported properly on the nasty types in Auckland, if we would have gotten higher turnout as well!

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Reposted by Connor Sharp

Rebecca Matthews @rebeccamatthews.bsky.social · 3d

I have a theory that Wellington city has hit 48% voter turnout (with specials still to come) because our people wanted to vote against nastiness and division and for nice and normal candidates. And for the Māori ward!

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Reposted by Connor Sharp

GeorgeWeeks2014 @georgeweeks2014.bsky.social · 3d

Karanga-a-Hape station has operational passenger information displays (PIDs). Suddenly City Rail Link looks very real.

Also good to see new public realm underway in Mercury Lane.

The original CRL plan reinstated southbound through-traffic right outside a 🚇 station entrance :(

This is better.#CRL

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Connor Sharp @connorsharp.bsky.social · 3d

Silver linings - I can officially say I am more popular than a Real Housewife of Auckland

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Connor Sharp @connorsharp.bsky.social · 3d

Holding out for specials in case I overtake Matson!

Regardless its massive as a whole getting back the board

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Connor Sharp @connorsharp.bsky.social · 3d

It was copium

Connor Sharp @connorsharp.bsky.social · 4d

Probably massive copium but assuming Waitematā progress is 80% of the total as it was in 2022 if the ratio is greater than 2:1 to City Vision... theres a slim chance I actually get over the line

Especially given the 31% reduction in progress votes for the bottom C&R candidate XD

Connor Sharp @connorsharp.bsky.social · 5d

Not necessarily the best result for me personally, but I am so, so stoked for the result our team got in Waitematā!

5 seats is amazing! Esp proud of Caitlin!

Will see if anything changes on Monday for me, but either way, some great stuff will be happening in the next 3 years.

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Connor Sharp @connorsharp.bsky.social · 3d

Don't call me out like that xD

Connor Sharp @connorsharp.bsky.social · 3d

Of course today of all days someone sets the buildings fire alarm off at my apartment building

Lol

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Reposted by Connor Sharp

Joel MacManus @joelmacmanus.bsky.social · 3d

Some personal news from today's Windbag newsletter.

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Connor Sharp @connorsharp.bsky.social · 3d

Thanks! Am stressed today, but at least I will get an indication if my hope is imsplaced haha. 67k votes across Auckland to be added...

Also, well done on your own campaign, so so impressive esp as you were a solo candidate! You should be really proud of the result

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Connor Sharp @connorsharp.bsky.social · 3d

About 5.6%!

It's around 19% of the total vote

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Connor Sharp @connorsharp.bsky.social · 3d

There were 67,347 votes cast in Auckland on Saturday, up from approx 64,000 in 2022

Thinking there will be more specials as well than the 6,500 in 2022 (of which only like 4,500 or something were eligibile)

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Connor Sharp @connorsharp.bsky.social · 4d

Interesting... specials went almost 1:3 favouring the left in Waitematā in 2022... and I think that ratio is going to be higher this year

Connor Sharp @connorsharp.bsky.social · 4d

My rough prediction - it might look like 1:1.6 in which case I'd be on 5892 and they would be on 6238...

But my gut feeling is we got out way more on the day and certainly more special votes so I think the ratio will be more favourable

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Connor Sharp @connorsharp.bsky.social · 4d

Also, imagine going from the top in the progress votes (in 2022), to barely 7th XD

Whatever my own fate, we ran a damn good campaign, and they absolutely did not!

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