What happens at local government elections – Calling the election
Introduction | Calling the election | Polling period| After polling
Calling the election
The local government elections commence when the Electoral Commissioner issues the Notice of election. The Notice of election states:
- the election timetable;
- the number of vacancies to be filled for each council;
- the name of the returning officer for each council;
- the name of the electoral officer within each council;
- information for nominating; and
- details of the entitlement to vote.
The Notice is issued and advertised prominently on the 7th Saturday prior to the close of polling.
A returning officer is appointed by the Electoral Commissioner to undertake important election duties, such as accepting nominations, receiving returned postal votes and conducting the count.
The returning officer may appoint an electoral officer for each council to assist in conducting the poll. The electoral officer is a representative of the returning officer at the council and can receive nominations on behalf of the returning officer and issue supplementary postal votes.
Close of the roll
At the close of the roll, an election roll is produced for each council. The roll determines who can vote at the election.
The roll for the local government elections closes at 6pm on the Thursday after the Notice of election is issued. At the 2011 local government elections, the roll closed at 6pm Thursday 15 September.
The election roll for local government elections is generated from two sources:
- electors on the State House of Assembly roll who reside within the municipality and
- electors on the General Manager’s roll
Go to Who can vote at local government elections? for more information.
The nomination period
Candidate nomination forms must be lodged, posted or faxed to the returning officer or the electoral officer before the nomination period closes. As part of the nomination form, candidates may provide a statement of up to 150 words, which will accompany the ballot papers sent to electors.
At the 2011 local government elections, nominations could be received from Monday 12 September until noon Monday 26 September.
Go to Nominating as a candidate for further details on how candidates are nominated.
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Next: Polling period
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Friday, 7 October, 2011 10:31 AM
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