Voters in New South Wales, Australia, will head to the polls on September 14 to elect local council representatives.
This significant event will determine which councillors will represent their constituents in various electorates across the state. The lead-up to these local government elections has witnessed several notable issues, including the Liberal Party’s failure to nominate 140 candidates and the cancellation of elections in 14 council areas due to a lack of candidates.
Role of local government in Australia
Local government forms the third tier of government in Australia alongside state and federal levels. Councils, composed of independently elected councillors, play a pivotal role in decision-making that reflects community values and oversees everyday services. These councils have jurisdiction over areas such as development, public spaces, rates, animals, sewage, and resource allocation.
Number of councils and elections process
As per the ABC News report, about 120 councils across NSW will see elections to elect councillors and some mayors on September 14. These elections also include wards, geographic divisions within some councils, and a number of referendums and polls. Notably, Fairfield City Council and Liverpool City Council will use a private election provider for this upcoming vote.
Voting requirements and polling places
“Elections take place on the second Saturday of September every four years,” according to the electoral guidelines.
Voting is compulsory for all residents who have lived in NSW for at least a month and are citizens aged 18 or older. The state electoral commission has specified that all voters on the NSW electoral roll as of August 5 will be part of the residential roll for this election. This roll comprises eligible voters who live in the council area.
For those unsure of their council area or where to vote, the NSW Electoral Commission provides a search tool to identify one’s council and ward, as well as a map with polling and pre-polling locations. Voting can be done between 8:00 am to 6:00 pm (local time) on September 14 by filling out a ballot paper at one’s designated polling place, often a town hall or school ground.
Candidate lists and election formats
The NSW Electoral Commission has a list of candidates available for public viewing. Candidates can be endorsed by political parties or run as independents. Each council decides the number of councillors for the term of office before the election, typically ranging from five to fifteen, including one mayor. Depending on the council, voters might cast ballots for a mayor in addition to councillors serving a four-year term. In certain councils, mayors are elected by the council within three weeks of election day and serve two-year terms.
Pre-poll and postal voting options available
“If you can’t make the polling booths on September 14, you may be eligible to pre-poll or to vote early,” according to electoral provisions.
Eligibility for pre-polling includes being outside one’s ward or council area, travelling, having religious beliefs that prevent attending, working, self-isolating due to COVID-19, living with a disability or serious illness, being in hospital or other facilities, or being imprisoned.
Pre-polling is available from September 7 until September 13, though days and times can vary by location. However, the NSW Electoral Commission emphasises that there will be no voting at any venue on Sunday, September 8.
“Telephone-assisted voting for electors who are blind or have low vision is also available for the pre-poll period and on election day,” officials have noted. If attending polling booths on September 14 is not feasible for valid reasons, postal votes are an available alternative, with applications closing on September 9. Voters receive their postal voting packs by mail.
Penalties for not voting
If a voter fails to participate without a valid reason, the state electoral commission will send an “apparent failure to vote” notice within three months of election day. Voters must provide a satisfactory reason within 28 days to avoid penalties, such as proving they voted or giving a valid excuse.
The fine for not voting stands at $55, with an additional $65 fee if the notice is ignored and referred to Revenue NSW. Disputes can be brought to court, where a failure to vote ruling can result in a $110 penalty plus court costs.
This significant event will determine which councillors will represent their constituents in various electorates across the state. The lead-up to these local government elections has witnessed several notable issues, including the Liberal Party’s failure to nominate 140 candidates and the cancellation of elections in 14 council areas due to a lack of candidates.
Role of local government in Australia
Local government forms the third tier of government in Australia alongside state and federal levels. Councils, composed of independently elected councillors, play a pivotal role in decision-making that reflects community values and oversees everyday services. These councils have jurisdiction over areas such as development, public spaces, rates, animals, sewage, and resource allocation.
Number of councils and elections process
As per the ABC News report, about 120 councils across NSW will see elections to elect councillors and some mayors on September 14. These elections also include wards, geographic divisions within some councils, and a number of referendums and polls. Notably, Fairfield City Council and Liverpool City Council will use a private election provider for this upcoming vote.
Voting requirements and polling places
“Elections take place on the second Saturday of September every four years,” according to the electoral guidelines.
Voting is compulsory for all residents who have lived in NSW for at least a month and are citizens aged 18 or older. The state electoral commission has specified that all voters on the NSW electoral roll as of August 5 will be part of the residential roll for this election. This roll comprises eligible voters who live in the council area.
For those unsure of their council area or where to vote, the NSW Electoral Commission provides a search tool to identify one’s council and ward, as well as a map with polling and pre-polling locations. Voting can be done between 8:00 am to 6:00 pm (local time) on September 14 by filling out a ballot paper at one’s designated polling place, often a town hall or school ground.
Candidate lists and election formats
The NSW Electoral Commission has a list of candidates available for public viewing. Candidates can be endorsed by political parties or run as independents. Each council decides the number of councillors for the term of office before the election, typically ranging from five to fifteen, including one mayor. Depending on the council, voters might cast ballots for a mayor in addition to councillors serving a four-year term. In certain councils, mayors are elected by the council within three weeks of election day and serve two-year terms.
Pre-poll and postal voting options available
“If you can’t make the polling booths on September 14, you may be eligible to pre-poll or to vote early,” according to electoral provisions.
Eligibility for pre-polling includes being outside one’s ward or council area, travelling, having religious beliefs that prevent attending, working, self-isolating due to COVID-19, living with a disability or serious illness, being in hospital or other facilities, or being imprisoned.
Pre-polling is available from September 7 until September 13, though days and times can vary by location. However, the NSW Electoral Commission emphasises that there will be no voting at any venue on Sunday, September 8.
“Telephone-assisted voting for electors who are blind or have low vision is also available for the pre-poll period and on election day,” officials have noted. If attending polling booths on September 14 is not feasible for valid reasons, postal votes are an available alternative, with applications closing on September 9. Voters receive their postal voting packs by mail.
Penalties for not voting
If a voter fails to participate without a valid reason, the state electoral commission will send an “apparent failure to vote” notice within three months of election day. Voters must provide a satisfactory reason within 28 days to avoid penalties, such as proving they voted or giving a valid excuse.
The fine for not voting stands at $55, with an additional $65 fee if the notice is ignored and referred to Revenue NSW. Disputes can be brought to court, where a failure to vote ruling can result in a $110 penalty plus court costs.