2024 Epping, Hornsby and Pittwater State by-elections bulletin No.1
Bulletin No.1
Issued 16 September 2024
On this page
Announcement of by-elections
It is anticipated the Speaker of the NSW Legislative Assembly will issue writs on Friday, 27 September 2024 for by-elections to be held for the electoral districts of Epping, Hornsby and Pittwater.
The Speaker has announced that the by-elections will be held on Saturday, 19 October 2024.
Election calendar and information
The election calendar for each of the by-elections can be found via the following links:
Note: Dates are not final until the writs are issued on Friday, 27 September 2024.
The website will be progressively updated with information about nomination and registration processes, the ballot paper draw, voting information, electoral material, scrutineering and counting and results.
Nominations
Nominations will open Friday, 27 September and close at 12 noon on Thursday, 3 October 2024.
Electoral funding requirements
Fact sheets summarising electoral funding requirements for political parties, candidates and third-party campaigners are available on our website. Political participants must become familiar with the rules that apply to political donations and electoral expenditure.
Candidates who intend to accept political donations or make payments for electoral expenditure prior to being nominated must be registered for electoral funding purposes. Applications for registration are open now and can be made using Funding and Disclosure Online. Registrations for candidates close 12 noon on Thursday, 3 October 2024.
Nominating to become a candidate for a by-election is a separate process from the requirement to register with the NSW Electoral Commission for electoral funding purposes. Being registered for electoral funding purposes does not mean a candidate’s name will appear on a ballot paper. Validly completed nomination forms and a nomination deposit must be lodged by the close of nominations at 12 noon on Thursday, 3 October to appear on the ballot paper.
Third-party campaigners must be registered if they intend to incur more than $2,000 of electoral expenditure during the capped expenditure period for the by-elections (Friday, 27 September to Saturday, 19 October 2024). Register using Funding and Disclosure Online. Registrations for third-party campaigners close Monday, 14 October 2024.
Postal voting
Postal vote applications are now open.
Electors can apply online, over the phone by calling 1300 135 736, or by downloading and printing a form available on our website.
Any candidate or registered political party intending to distribute postal vote applications to electors must use the approved form. To request a copy of the approved form, please email candidates@elections.nsw.gov.au. It is recommended that a copy of your final artwork is provided to the NSW Electoral Commission for review before going to print, to ensure that all legislative requirements have been met.
Completed postal vote applications returned to a candidate or registered political party must be delivered to the NSW Electoral Commission as soon as possible to ensure postal votes are distributed to electors in a timely manner. Applications must be received by the NSW Electoral Commission by 6pm on Monday, 14 October 2024. Late applications cannot be accepted.
To support the return process, we will liaise with candidates and registered political parties who submitted artwork. For more information, please contact sby.pva@elections.nsw.gov.au
Postal vote pack distribution to electors begins Tuesday, 8 October 2024. Electors must complete their ballot papers and postal vote certificates by 6pm on election day, Saturday, 19 October 2024.
Candidate helpdesk
A helpdesk is available for candidates, registered political parties and other political participants from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday on 1300 022 011, and from 7am to 6pm from the opening of early voting (Saturday, 12 October 2024) to election day.
All enquiries relating to the nomination and registration process, the ballot paper draw, electoral material, scrutineers, candidate workers and counting and results should be directed to the Candidate helpdesk by email to candidates@elections.nsw.gov.au
Email enquiries about candidate and third-party campaigner electoral funding registrations and the rules that apply to political donations and electoral expenditure can be directed to fdc@elections.nsw.gov.au
All other email enquiries by political parties, candidates and other political participants should be sent using our Contact us form.