It is a clear victory for the silver fern design with both options accounting for just under (49.42) or just over (50.58) half the votes cast. The so-called “people’s choice”, the Red Peak, faded to third but was still well ahead of the other two choices of the official flag committee. There were 1,546,734 postal votes cast (of 3,170,726 enrolled), a turnout of 48.78 percent, between 20 November and 11 December. Nearly 10 percent of the votes were deemed informal where a clear first preference could not be determined. Voting was optional preferential with the runner-up receiving more first preference votes than the winning design. Both flag referendums are binding on the government. A poll conducted at the same time voting concluded indicated that 69 percent of voters would choose the current flag with the Union Jack in the second referendum to be held between 3 and 24 March 2016. To see the winning design and the results, click on the link below. Both flags are now fluttering over many NZ towns and buildings to help people make up their minds<\/p>\n\n\n\n