ADVICE ... THE UPCOMING LOCAL GOVT ELECTIONS IN LAUNCESTON

Thank you for your email below. Please note that we are unable to provide any legal advice, however we are happy to point you in the direction of the relevant legislation. 

Under section 290 of the Local Government Act 1993 (“the Act”) for a councillor ballot paper to be formal, the elector must record preferences:

• 1 to 5 (where 5 or more candidates are to be elected), or
• 1 to [the number to be elected] (where less than 5 candidates are to be elected).

 

For a mayor or deputy mayor ballot paper to be formal, the elector must mark the ballot paper by placing the number 1 in the box next to the name of the candidate of the elector’s first preference.

 

Under section 300 of the Act, a ballot paper will be treated as informal if:

• no vote has been recorded on it,
• the vote is recorded on the ballot paper otherwise than in accordance with section 290,
• it contains a mark or writing which will identify the voter, or
• it has not been appropriately authenticated.

 

You may find a copy of our Information for Candidates handbook for local government elections helpful. This handbook can be found: https://www.tec.tas.gov.au/local-government/assets/LG_Candidate_Information_Booklet.pdf

 

Kind regards,

 

Policy Team

Policy  |  Tasmanian Electoral Commission

6208 8700  |  policy@tec.tas.gov.au

PO Box 307 Moonah TAS 7009  |  Level 3, 169 Main Road Moonah TAS 7009

We acknowledge Aboriginal people as the traditional owners of this Land and respect their culture and identity which has been bound up with the Land, Sea, Waterways and Sky for generations.

 

Subject: ADVICE ... THE UPCOMING LOCAL GOVT ELECTIONS IN LAUNCESTON

Good afternoon,

 

I am seeking some clarification to a number of questions having received the eMAIL below. When I spoke to the person on reception, she was, understandably, unable to be definitive but I DO need that class of information in regard to the upcoming Local Govt elections.

 

Questions:

 

1 …. Is it the case that for the election of Councillors a voter is required to mark their ballot one to five (5) candidates in order to cast a valid vote?

 

2 …. Is it the case that for the election of Mayor a voter is required to mark their ballot one (1)for the candidate of their choice in order to cast a valid vote?

 

3 …. Is it the case that for the election of Deputy Mayor a voter is required to mark their ballot one (1)for the candidate of their choice in order to cast a valid vote?

 

4 …. Is it the case that for any ballot paper a voter may mark their ballot with a WORD in the box next to the name of a candidate they DO SUPPORT for whatever reason can cast a valid vote IF they also mark their ballot one to five (5) candidates in the order of their preference?

 

We would appreciate your early advice on this matter given evolving events.