Janet Mays

Election day for the next council general elections is Saturday 13 September 2008. Polling places are usually at local schools and halls. In most cases they will be the same as those used for the State and Federal elections. Polling places will be advertised in the period leading up to the election and will be listed on the NSW Electoral Commission website and council’s website.

Polling places are open from 8 am to 6 pm.

Councils Divided into Wards

An elector can only vote at a polling place within the ward for which the elector is enrolled. However one polling place in each council area will be a designated polling place where electors from any ward (within that council), will be able to vote.

Absentee Voting

There is no absentee voting at local government elections.There is no pre-arranged interstate or overseas voting at local government elections.

Voting Before Election Day

Electors who qualify are able to vote before election day as either a postal voter or a pre-poll voter.

Postal Voting

Application forms for a postal vote must be received by the returning officer for your council not later than 5.00 pm on the Monday before election day. Completed postal votes must be received by the returning officer before 6.00 pm on the Monday following election day. To qualify for postal vote the elector must declare that one of the following applies:

• will not be in the ward or council area during polling hours (8 am to 6 pm) on election day.
• will not be within 8 kilometres of any polling place open on election day in the ward or council area during polling hours (8 am to 6 pm).
• will be travelling under conditions which will prevent voting at any such polling place during polling hours (8 am to 6 pm) on election day.
• is seriously ill or disabled and cannot attend any such polling place.
• is prevented by approaching maternity from attending any such polling place.
• is a member of a religious order or have religious beliefs which prevent you from attending any such polling place or voting during polling hours (8 am to 6 pm) on election day.
• is in prison and are precluded from attending any such polling place to vote.
• is at a place other than a hospital, caring for a person who requires care for medical reasons and will be prevented from attending any such polling place.
• will be working during polling hours (8 am to 6 pm) on election day and will not be able to attend at a polling place to vote.

Pre-poll Voting

Pre-poll voting will be available at the returning officer’s office and other locations appointed by the NSWEC during the 2 weeks prior to election day. Dates and hours of operation are advertised in local newspapers and on the NSW Electoral Commission website and council’s website. To qualify for a pre-poll vote the elector must declare that one of the following applies:

• will not be in the ward or council area during polling hours (8 am to 6 pm) on election day.
• will not be within 8 kilometres of any polling place open in the ward or area on election day during polling hours (8 am to 6 pm).
• will be travelling under conditions which will prevent you from voting at any such polling place during polling hours (8 am to 6 pm) on election day.
• is a member of a religious order or have religious beliefs which prevent you from attending any such polling place or voting during polling hours (8 am to 6 pm) on election day.
• is at a place other than a hospital, caring for a person who requires care for medical reasons and will be prevented from attending any such polling place.
• will be working during polling hours (8 am to 6 pm) on election day and will not be able to attend at a polling place to vote.

Registered General Postal Voters (RGPVs)

Electors who are RGPVs for Commonwealth and State elections are registered for council elections without the need for further application. They will automatically be sent their postal ballot papers by the returning officer.

Source: NSW Electoral Commission April 2008