Vision

To become a ‘community-led awareness and participation initiative’ to increase voter interest and turnout in the general and council elections nationally. By using broadcasting and web-based technologies to deliver in-studio, online and YouTube video “Meet the Candidates” we aim to inform voters with an entertaining event. 

Aims

• to allow candidates an equal opportunity to have their voices and ideas heard;
• to help the public decide who to vote for;
• to allow voters to mix and mingle with the electoral candidate hopefuls before and after the studio event;
• to provide a central hub to promote all ‘political election events’ in all of Aotearoa New Zealand’s 72 Electorates. 

We are volunteers

It’s in the Ballot is run by volunteers as a non-profit organisation called “It’s in the Ballot Productions”.

How it works

Each show is approximately 2 hours with an intermission.

First half of show

The ‘It’s in the Ballot’ host will introduce the local question host who joins us to present the questions in the boxes. Each candidate starts with an Opening Statement (1 minute) on why they are running. The candidates choose a numbered box and speaks to the question (1 minute). Candidates are given the same number of questions. Candidates are sent the question sheet at least 2 days before the show so they can prepare their responses. In keeping with the style of ‘It’s in The Bag’, each candidate will be given two Butt-in cards and one Defer card:

Butt-in card

Any candidate can use this card for a question they want to answer. They must surrender their Butt-In card to the host as soon as that question has been read by the local question host. The host will then ask the candidate with the Butt-in card to answer the question once the candidate who chose question has answered.

Defer card

The candidate uses this card at their discretion to defer a question they have chosen from a box to another candidate of their choosing.

Second half of show

Two Hard Hitting questions (1 minute) are answered by all candidates, followed by what candidates would choose as their First Private Members Bill (2 minutes) if elected. This is followed by a Closing Statement (1 minute) from each candidate on why we should vote for them.

After show ‘meet and greet ‘with candidates, hosts, and production crew

We encourage all attendees to stay after the show to talk to the candidates in person. You may like to take a photo with the candidates to use on social media to encourage your followers to watch the recorded show before they cast their votes on 14 October.

Our geographical coverage

From Wellington to Waikato 

New Zealand Suffrage Anniversary 

To honour the New Zealand Suffrage Anniversary on Tuesday 19th September, Hutt South (4pm to 6pm) and Remutuka (7pm to 9pm) shows will be female led. These shows are being held at James Coe Centre, (next to the Dowse Art Museum) 45 Laings Road, Lower Hutt.

Our crew

• Sam Somers – Founder / Host / Executive Producer Sam stood for office in the 2016 and 2019 Greater Wellington Regional Council elections. Having attended the ‘Meet the Candidates’ meetings he found it challenging to get his message across to his constituency. Sam, with his supporters, decided that a webshow was the solution, so Sam hosted ‘It’s in the Ballot’ for 8 electorates in the General Election in 2020. In 2022 ‘It’s in the Ballot Productions’ hosted 34 shows in the Wellington Region for the Council elections. Contact Sam on – itsintheballot@gmail.com

• Stacey Ryan – Executive Producer / Editor 2 Stacey has assisted Sam since 2020 as a camera operator and in 2022 did Candidate Liaison and hosted some of the shows. This year Stacey will take on Executive Producer and lead remote editing. Contact Stacey on – itsintheballotproductions@gmail.com 
• Ray Ching – Camera Operator / Production Manager / Editor 1 Ray has assisted Sam since 2022 as production manager and will continue in this role.
• Andre De Groot – Camera Operator Andre joined the crew in 2022 as camera operator and sound technician and is continuing in this role.
• Nick Hollander – Candidate Liaison / Alternate host Nick joined the crew in 2022 as camera operator and was a local question host. This year Nick will do Candidate Liaison and will join the Roadshow. Contact Nick on – itsintheballotcandidateliaison@gmail.com
• Alex Garside – Host Alex joined the crew in 2020 and this year is joining the Roadshow as a host.

Back Office Crew This crew has responsibilities for:

• Managing Eventbrite ticketing
• Managing the questions process
• Marketing the event
• Quality assurance
• Editing live footage into YouTube video.