The last call for votes has gone out for local government election day this Saturday, 8 October.

Voting for Invercargill City Council, Southland District Council, Gore District Council, Environment Southland, and the various community boards and trusts opened on September 16 and closes at noon on Saturday.

In Invercargill, so far 40.01% of eligible votes have been returned, compared with 45.52% at the same time in the last election.

In Southland, 41% of votes had been returned, which is well ahead of the 32.59% at the same time in the 2019 election.

It's a similar story in Gore, with 41.91% of eligible voters having already cast a vote, by close of business on Thursday.

Invercargill City Council Deputy Electoral Officer and Manager Governance and Legal Michael Morris said he was pleased with the turnout at this point, despite this week’s polar blast meaning some postal delays.

“It’s not too late to cast your vote so embrace the last minute. We know the people of Invercargill are passionate and engaged members of the community,” Morris said.

“The people on the council are chosen by the people who vote. Every vote counts so make sure you have made your choice.”

Southland District Council legal governance manager Robyn Rout, meanwhile, says they're also tracking "generally really well".

"We want as many people to vote as possible. It would be lovely to crack 50% but more would be amazing," she says.

Progress results are expected from all on Saturday afternoon and will be made available on the Council website and on social media, followed by preliminary results.

Invercargill

Votes can still be dropped in to any of the drop boxes right up until noon on Saturday.

Special votes were able to be cast right up to the deadline at the Vote Murihiku Election Hub, at the Bluff Service Centre and at the Civic Administration Building.

Southland

District Council offices will be open until noon, Saturday, 8 October, to receive votes.

Invercargill: 15 Forth Street

Stewart Island/Rakiura: 10 Ayr Street, Oban

Riverton: 117 Palmerston Street

Winton: 1 Wemyss Street

Otautau: 176 Main Street

Lumsden: 18 Diana Street

Te Anau: 116 Town Centre

Wyndham: 41 Balaclava Street

You can also deliver your voting papers to Gore District Council, Invercargill City Council and the Vote Murihiku hub in the Invercargill Central mall, Esk Street.

Gore

You can vote at the following locations (during opening hours) until 5pm Friday:

GDC main office

Gore Visitors Centre

BP Gore

Mataura Library / Service Centre

Gore Library

After that, you’ll need to pop in to the Gore District Council main office on Saturday between 9am and noon.