2024 NSW Local Government elections: Political participants bulletin No.7
Bulletin No.7
Issued 15 August 2024
On this page
Nominations and registrations are now closed
Nominations for the 2024 NSW Local Government elections closed at 12 noon on Wednesday, 14 August 2024.
We are continuing to review and process candidate and group nomination forms lodged before nominations closed. All proposed candidates and groups will be notified about the status of their nomination before the ballot paper draw on Thursday, 15 August 2024.
Ballot paper draw to occur today
Reminder that the announcement of the nominated candidates and draws to determine the order in which candidates and groups will appear on the ballot paper will be held at the respective Returning Officer’s office from 2pm on Thursday, 15 August 2024.
A list of Returning Officer’s offices is available on our website.
Candidates or their representatives, registered political parties, media and members of the public are permitted to attend the draw, subject to sufficient space being available in the office. If space is limited, preference will be given to registered political parties and nominated candidates. Although it is not necessary to register ahead of time, all visitors to our offices must provide their names and contact details and follow any directions about safety while present in a NSW Electoral Commission workplace.
Candidate information on website
After the ballot paper draw, details of the candidates and groups published on our website will be updated to the order they will appear on the ballot paper.
Electoral expenditure is capped from 1 July 2024 to election day
Electoral expenditure caps apply at the 2024 NSW Local Government elections. This means there is a limit on the amount of expenditure that can be incurred by political parties, candidates, groups, and third-party campaigners.
The caps on electoral expenditure apply during the capped expenditure period for the election. This period starts on 1 July 2024 and continues until the end of election day, 14 September 2024.
The caps that apply to a Local Government area or ward are determined by the number of enrolled electors in the area or ward 12 months prior to the election. The NSW Electoral Commission publishes details of the number of enrolled electors and applicable caps for each area and ward on its website. All registered candidates, groups and third-party campaigners are notified of the number of enrolled electors and applicable caps in their area or ward when registration is confirmed.
For the purpose of the caps, electoral expenditure incurred by the candidates, their group and their party is aggregated. More information about the aggregation rules is available on our website. Even if electoral material was paid for before the capped expenditure period, for the purpose of the caps it is taken to be incurred during the period if the electoral material is published, displayed or distributed during the period.
More information can be found on our website:
- what is electoral expenditure for the purposes of the caps
- electoral expenditure must be paid from the campaign account
- complete and accurate records must be kept of all payments for electoral expenditure including copies of the accounts or receipts for expenditure and copies of advertising and printed election material
- electoral expenditure must be disclosed to the NSW Electoral Commission in an annual disclosure
- other rules that apply to expenditure caps, including aggregation rules for the purposes of the expenditure caps.
Public registers
The details of registered candidates, groups, third-party campaigners and official agents are included in publicly available registers that are available on our website.
Candidates, groups, third-party campaigners, and official agents whose registered details change after being registered must notify us within 30 days.
Political donation caps for 2024/2025 financial year
Political donations include funds raised through fundraisers as well as other monetary and non-monetary gifts. Political donations are capped and the cap amounts are adjusted for inflation every financial year. Visit our website for:
- the donation caps for the 2024/25 financial year and the aggregation rules for the purpose of the donation caps
- information about political donations
- information about unlawful political donations.
Accepting and using political donations
It is an offence to make or accept a political donation that does not comply with the law. This includes anonymous donations, cash donations of more than $100, donations from prohibited donors, and donations from political parties (or their associated entities, or their endorsed candidates or elected members) to independent candidates or groups.
Complete and accurate accounting and financial records must be kept in order for political donations to be properly disclosed to the NSW Electoral Commission. A receipt must be issued for all reportable donations received, and the name and address of the donor recorded. The receipt must include a statement advising the donor of the requirements to disclose the donation to the NSW Electoral Commission. The NSW Electoral Commission issues receipt and acknowledgement books to enable receipts to be issued to donors. Contact us to obtain a receipt and acknowledgement book or email your request to fdc@elections.nsw.gov.au.
Visit our website for more information about:
ICAC warns against using allegations of corruption as part of campaigns
Ahead of the 2024 NSW local government elections, the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) has warned current councillors, registered political parties and candidates against a practice that involves making allegations of corruption against political rivals, which may be accompanied by public statements that the matter has been referred to the ICAC.