2024 NSW Local Government elections: Council update No.10

2 September 2024

1. Assets to promote voting options and election day

We have a range of communication resources for councils to use in the lead up to election day. These include social media posts, print ads and digital banners that can be customised by adding your council logo. The resources can be downloaded from our communication resources hub.

There is also a link to our community resources, with information for electors about the elections in formats including videos and fact sheets.

Councils in culturally and linguistically diverse communities will be interested in our translated resources. We encourage you to share these resources with your networks.

2. Reminder: countback elections for casual vacancies after the 2024 elections

To use countback elections, council must pass a resolution at its first meeting following the election.

Countback is an efficient and cost-effective way to fill a casual vacancy, instead of conducting a by-election.

Please see information about the countback process on our website, including our fact sheet, countback timeline, how countback works and a model resolution.

3. Enquiries and support

Please refer enquiries from candidates and electors about the election as follows:

• Candidate helpdesk – 1300 022 011 and candidates@elections.nsw.gov.au
• Elector enquiry centre – 1300 135 736 and enquiries@elections.nsw.gov.au

4. Pre-poll voting

Pre-poll voting is available Saturday, 7 September and from Monday, 9 September to Friday, 13 September 2024 (not available on Sunday).

Pre-poll venues have differing opening hours and days, so check the NSW Electoral Commission website for pre-poll voting information in your area.

No absent voting

Electors must vote at a pre-poll location for their council area or ward.  Electors can use the address lookup on the NSW Electoral Commission website to find information about pre-poll venues, election day polling places and candidates for their council area or ward. They can also check their enrolment details on our website.

If an elector has moved, they can vote in their new council area by completing a declaration vote to update their address. Electors should tell an election official they need to update their enrolment so they can be directed to the appropriate table.

5. Telephone assisted voting

Telephone assisted voting is available to electors who are blind or have low vision. Electors can apply and vote from Saturday, 7 September. Applications for telephone assisted voting close at 6pm on Friday, 13 September. Voting operators will be available until 1pm on election day Saturday, 14 September 2024.

6. Election day

Operation of polling places

Voting is open from 8am to 6pm on Saturday, 14 September 2024. 

Electors can use the address lookup on the NSW Electoral Commission website to find information about pre-poll venues, election day polling places and candidates for their council area or ward. They can also check their enrolment details on our website.

No absent voting

Electors must vote at a polling place for their council area or ward.  Electors can use the address lookup on the NSW Electoral Commission website to find information about pre-poll venues, election day polling places and candidates for their council area or ward. They can also check their enrolment details on our website.

If an elector has moved, they can vote in their new council area by completing a declaration vote to update their address. Electors should tell an election official they need to update their enrolment so they can be directed to the appropriate table.

Support on election day

The following NSW Electoral Commission helpdesks will be available on election day from 8am to 6pm to answer candidate and elector enquiries:

• Candidate helpdesk – 1300 022 011 and candidates@elections.nsw.gov.au
• Elector enquiry centre – 1300 135 736 and enquiries@elections.nsw.gov.au

7. Electoral material

The registration of electoral material closes at 5pm on Friday, 6 September 2024. Registered electoral material is displayed on the NSW Electoral Commission website until 6.30pm election day.

All electoral material to be handed out or left out for collection by the public on election day must be registered with the NSW Electoral Commission.

If you have concerns that electoral material used or published during the regulated election period is, or was, unlawful, complaints should be made in writing by emailing the NSW Electoral Commission at candidates@elections.nsw.gov.au.

A complaint should include a copy of the electoral material. For electoral material published online, a URL (link), or the name of the social media account and a screenshot should be provided.