2021 NSW Local Government elections: Political Participants Bulletin No.11
Bulletin No.11
Issued 27 July 2021
On this page
1. Postponement of Local Government elections
The Minister for Local Government has ordered the postponement of the Local Government elections until Saturday, 4 December 2021.
The NSW Electoral Commission is in the process of replanning the elections. Additional information will be published progressively on our website.
2. Nomination online management system (NOMS)
We acknowledge candidates and political parties had commenced preparing their nominations and grouping forms in preparation for lodgement from Monday, 26 July 2021.
The NSW Electoral Commission is assessing the effect of the postponement on materials already prepared in NOMS.
We will update everyone who has used NOMS as soon as possible.
3. 4 December election calendar
The election calendar including key dates for the elections to be held on 4 December can be found on our website.
4. Candidate Helpdesk available
The Candidate Helpdesk is available for candidates, registered political parties and other political participants.
All enquiries relating to the nominations process, electoral material, ballot papers, ballot paper draw, counting and results, scrutineers, party workers, electoral funding registrations, political donation and expenditure cap rules and compliance can be directed to the Candidate Helpdesk.
The Candidate Helpdesk is available from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday on 1300 022 011, or in writing:
- For enquiries regarding nominations, electoral material and ballot papers: candidates@elections.nsw.gov.au.
- For all electoral funding, registration and disclosure enquiries: fdc@elections.nsw.gov.au.
5. Common questions and answers
Are electoral funding registrations open for candidates and groups that want to start campaigning?
Yes. Candidate and group registrations for the election are still open. Any candidate or group wishing to accept political donations or pay for electoral expenses must be registered for electoral funding purposes.
To apply to be registered use the NSW Electoral Commission’s new online registration and disclosure system, Funding and Disclosure Online, by following these steps:
- Request access to Funding and Disclosure Online (if you don’t already have access).
- Login with your username and password.
- If applying to be registered as a candidate, follow these instructions.
- If applying to register a group of candidates, follow these instructions.
If I am already registered for electoral funding purposes does my registration still stand?
Yes. Any registration for the 4 September election date is carried across to the new 4 December election date.
Can I cancel my electoral funding registration if I no longer want to contest the elections?
Yes. If you would like to cancel your electoral funding registration email us at fdc@elections.nsw.gov.au. You will still need to submit disclosure forms for the full 12-month period ending 30 June 2022.
Will I be able to spend more or receive more donations to cover the extended length of my campaign?
The caps that apply to political donations have not been changed by the postponement. You can still only accept up to the applicable cap amount from each donor this financial year.
More information about the donation cap rules
The expenditure cap amounts that apply to parties, groups, candidates and third-party campaigners in each local government area and ward also remain unchanged.
More information about the expenditure cap amounts
If the NSW Government makes any changes, we will notify all parties, groups, candidates and third-party campaigners.
Does expenditure on electoral material count towards the expenditure caps even though the election date has changed?
If you have already distributed electoral material since 1 July, the expenditure you incurred to produce or distribute that material will be subject to your expenditure cap.
Expenditure on electoral material counts towards expenditure caps once it is distributed.
The capped expenditure period for the postponed election commenced on 1 July and now ends on election day, 4 December. If the Government announces any changes, we will notify candidates, parties, groups and third party campaigners.
Irrespective of whether expenditure counts towards your expenditure cap, it must still be disclosed annually, following the 12-month period in which the expense was paid or invoiced.
When does the regulated period for electoral material start?
The regulated period for electoral material starts on Monday, 25 October 2021. This is also the day lodgement of nominations commences.
6. More information about the postponement
The Office of Local Government has issued these Frequently Asked Questions.