Local Government elections

Local Government elections voting runs a little differently to the state and federal elections processes.

Firstly, all voting is done by post, hence the voting period rather than a polling day and early voting period. All your voting materials will be sent to you (to the address you provided for the electoral roll) and once you’ve completed your ballot you send it back in the provided envelope.

Additionally voting in local government elections is not compulsory.

Voting in council elections is open to a broader range of people than are eligible to vote in state or federal elections. For council elections the electoral roll is made up of the roll used for state and federal elections via the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) and council supplementary rolls. These rolls are where businesses and organisations enrol to vote in Council elections.

You are eligible for your council’s supplementary roll if any of the following apply:

• You have been a resident at your current address for one month.

• You are a sole owner or occupier of a property that pays rates.

• You are a landlord for rateable property.

• You are an organisation/business that owns or occupies a property that pays rates.

• You are a group of owners or occupiers of property that pays rates.

Check your AEC enrolment here.

More info on enrolling to vote in local elections. here.

What are councils responsible for, you ask? Have a look here.