Local government elections 2026

Progressive results will be published on this website from the morning of Wednesday 28 October. Final results will become available at different times for each council and election.

Mayor: most results are expected to be finalised by Wednesday evening, with some following on Thursday morning.

Deputy mayor: most results are expected to be finalised by Thursday evening, with some following on Friday morning.

Councillors: final results for some councils are expected on Thursday. Counting will continue on Friday, Saturday and Monday, with final results for all councils expected by Tuesday 3 November.

These are expected timeframes, which may change as counting progresses.

At 2 pm on Tuesday 27 October, ballot boxes from council offices and the telephone voting centre are transported to counting centres in the north and south of the state, along with ballot packs received by post.

Throughout Tuesday afternoon and evening, returned ballot packs are processed, with ballot papers removed from their envelopes and sorted by council in preparation for counting. Councillor ballot papers are counted using a data-entry process, which begins on Tuesday evening.

Processing of returned ballot packs continues into Wednesday alongside counting. The hand count of mayor and deputy mayor ballot papers begins on Wednesday, while data entry of councillor ballot papers continues across all councils.

Results are progressively updated on the TEC website as each count advances. Counting and checking continue until the final result for each election can be confirmed.

Mayor and deputy mayor elections use optional preferential voting, requiring voters to number at least one preference on their ballot paper. After counting first (1) preferences, if no candidate has more than half of the votes still in the count, the candidate with the fewest votes is excluded and preferences are transferred until one candidate has a majority.

Councillors are elected using partial preferential voting, requiring voters to provide a minimum number of preferences for their vote to be counted (five for councillor elections). Votes are counted using a system known as Hare–Clark to elect multiple candidates for each council. Candidates are elected as they achieve a set number of votes (a quota), with preferences transferred from elected and excluded candidates until all councillor positions are filled.

The TEC does not declare a candidate to be elected until it has been confirmed that they have received the required number of votes.

To ensure the accuracy of the outcome, a process of counting, rechecking (twice) and distributing preferences must take place. Sometimes it can be clear that a candidate has the votes required, or that they are likely to be elected, but the TEC won't declare this until the necessary processes have been completed.

Members of the media may use available data to make predictions and report on likely outcomes at any stage in the election, but this is not an official result.

Yes. Voting in local government elections is compulsory for every elector in Tasmania.

Some electors are enrolled on their local council’s General Manager’s roll - voting is not compulsory these electors.

More information about these two ways to enrol is available here.

Local government elections in Tasmania are conducted by post. Every elector will be sent a personally addressed postal ballot pack, to be completed and returned before the close of polling period at 2 pm on Tuesday 27 October 2026.

Voters who are interstate or overseas, or who have a print disability, can use the telephone voting service.

Every elector receives their own postal ballot pack at their enrolled address. Visit the Australian Electoral Commission website to find out where you’re enrolled.

If you’ll be away from your enrolled address when ballot packs are delivered, you can request a supplementary postal ballot pack to be sent to another address until 4 pm on Wednesday 21 October.

Please note that rolls for these elections closed at 6 pm Thursday 10 September 2026. You will be required to vote under the enrolment details recorded as at that time.

Ballot packs will start arriving from Monday 5 October 2026. Delivery times may vary, depending on where you live. You can vote as soon as your ballot pack arrives. Voting closes at 2 pm on Tuesday 27 October 2026.

You can request a supplementary (replacement) ballot pack using an online form, by phoning 1800 801 701, or by visiting your local council office.

Ballot pack delivery commenced on Monday 5 October and was rolled out progressively across the state, which means not all voters will receive their pack at the same time. Changes to your address or other enrolment details that occurred after 10 September 2026, when rolls closed, will not apply for these elections.

Number the boxes next to candidates’ names in the order of your choice. Put 1 in the box next to your first choice, 2 next to your second choice, 3 next to your third choice, and keep going.

For the councillor ballot paper, you must number at least 5 boxes. You can number more than 5, or number all the boxes.

For the mayor and deputy mayor ballot papers, you must number at least 1 box on each ballot paper. You can number more, or number all the boxes.

Don’t skip or repeat any numbers. Do not sign your ballot papers or write anything that could identify you.

You can use a pen, pencil or felt pen when marking your ballot paper, as long as your numbers are clear.

Your ballot pack can be returned by post. When you receive your ballot pack in the mail, you will find a Reply Paid return envelope.

Place your completed ballot papers inside the ballot paper envelope, seal it and sign the back, your ballot papers will remain anonymous. Put the ballot paper envelope into the Reply Paid envelope, seal it and post it as soon as you can.

Visit our Postal voting guide for step by step instructions.

You will need to allow a few days for your ballot pack to be returned to the TEC.

If you run out of time, you can return your ballot pack to your local council office.

You must return your ballot papers by 2 pm on Tuesday 27 October.

If you make a mistake on your ballot paper, cross out the incorrect number and write the correct number next to the box. Make sure your voting intention is clear. Do not initial or sign any changes.

If you need a new ballot paper, you can request one online or collect one from your local council office.

Telephone Assisted Voting (TAV) is available to electors with a print disability. Print disability is defined by the TEC as including blind and low vision electors, electors with cognitive, learning or literacy difficulties, or physical dexterity problems. Our telephone voting page provides more information and full eligibility details.

You can also ask someone you trust if they are willing to help you to fill out your ballot papers with you. It is important that they fill in your ballot paper according to your instructions.

If you are unable to vote, you do not need to contact the TEC now. After the election, we will send you a letter. You can respond to the letter to tell us your reason for not voting.

Your enrolment details are managed by the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC). Check your enrolment on the AEC website to see where you are enrolled.

Your enrolment details are managed by the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC). Update your enrolment on the AEC webpage.

Enrolment details are managed by the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC). Use this form to notify the AEC.

Yes, a map displaying all local government areas is available here.

We also have a search tool you can use to find out which local government area an address is in.

Please refer to Transport Services or the State Planning Office’s Fact Sheet on election signage for more information about what planning laws apply to election signage, including planning scheme exemptions.

For enquiries about the specific placement of your election sign please contact your local council.

For general enquiries regarding the Signs Code in the Tasmanian Planning Scheme, contact the State Planning Office, spo@stateplanning.tas.gov.au or 1300 703 977.

It is an offence under section 109(1)(a) of the Electricity Supply Industry Act 1995 to attach anything to a power pole without proper authority.

The penalty for an offence under this section is a fine not exceeding 50 penalty units for an individual or 100 penalty units for a body corporate.

Queries or complaints related to material being attached to electricity power poles should be directed to TasNetworks.

Please refer to Transport Services or the State Planning Office’s Fact Sheet on election signage for more information about what planning laws apply to election signage, including planning scheme exemptions.

For enquiries about the specific placement of your election sign please contact your local council.

For general enquiries regarding the Signs Code in the Tasmanian Planning Scheme, contact the State Planning Office, spo@stateplanning.tas.gov.au or 1300 703 977.

Apply to be added to the TEC's casual employment register. Your application will be considered and we will contact you if there's a suitable role.

There are many different roles at different times during the election. Offers will be sent out right through to the end of the polling period. If you are concerned, send an email to employment@tec.tas.gov.au.