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15 September 2024, 05:00 PM
Local government elections are being held across New South Wales on Saturday 14 September. We have compiled a list of frequently asked questions:
Why have our Mayor and Councillors already been announced?
Nominations for candidates closed at 12 noon on 05 August 2024.
In Uralla Shire, the number of candidates nominated was equal to the number to be elected, therefore, the NSW Electoral Commission declared candidates as being elected uncontested.
The elected Mayor and Councillors will be sworn in on Tuesday 17 September.
Do I still have to vote?
Yes. Even though our election has already been declared, voters in Uralla Shire will still participate in a referendum.
If you are eligible to vote in New South Wales, you must vote in all elections and referendums.
What is a referendum?
A referendum is when voters are asked to answer 'yes' or 'no' to a particular question/s.
For a referendum to pass, a majority of voters in the council area must have voted in support of the proposal. If the referendum is passed, the result takes effect at the next local government elections, scheduled for 2028.
Voting in a referendum is compulsory and the result is binding on the council.
What are the referendum questions being asked?
This election Uralla Shire voters will be presented with two referendum questions:
- Are you in favour of the Mayor being elected by the Councillors?
- Are you in favour of removing the current ward system so that all electors vote for all Councillors that represent the Uralla Shire Council area?
Voters are required to tick either 'Yes' or 'No' on the ballot paper.
What changes if I vote yes in the referendum?
Question 1: Are you in favour of the Mayor being elected by the Councillors?
If supported, this would mean that from the next council election in 2028, voters would no longer directly elect their mayor. Instead, a mayor would be selected by the nine councillors from among themselves.
Question 2: Are you in favour of removing the current ward system so that all electors vote for all Councillors that represent the Uralla Shire Council area?
If supported, this would abolish our current system of wards from 2028, and voters would instead elect councillors in an undivided council area.
What happens if I don’t vote?
If you do not vote and you don't have a valid reason, the NSW Electoral Commission will send you an apparent failure to vote notice in the post.
The penalty for not voting in New South Wales is a $55 fine.
Where can I vote on election day?
Election Day is Saturday 14th September, polling booths will open at 8am and close at 6pm. Polling booths are located at:
Ward A and B
- Rocky River Public School
- Uralla Memorial Hall
Ward B only
- Bundarra Hall
- Kentucky Hall
- Drummond Memorial Public School (combined voting centre with Armidale Regional Council)
Out of area (absent) voting is not available at local council elections in NSW. You must vote in your local area or use an early voting option.
Can I vote early?
Early voting (pre-poll) is available from Saturday 07 - Friday 13 September at:
Uralla Neighbourhood Centre
27 Salisbury Street, Uralla
Armidale Town Hall
127 Rusden Street, Armidale
Opening Hours:
- Mon - Wed: 8:30am - 5:30pm
- Thu: 8:30am - 8:00pm
- Fri: 8:30am - 6:00pm
- Sat: 9:00am - 6:00pm
- Sun: Closed
You can also apply for a postal vote. Postal vote applications are now open by visiting the NSW Electoral Commission website. Applications for postal voting close at 5pm Monday, 9 September.
Didn’t I vote a couple of weeks ago?
Voters in Uralla Shire recently participated in a by-election for the State parliament.
This election will choose who represents you on Council for the next 4 years.
If you are an Australian citizen aged 18 years or more, you are required to vote in federal, state and local government elections and by-elections. If you do not vote, you may receive a penalty notice.
What if I own property in Uralla Shire but I don’t currently live in the area?
If you are not a resident, you may still be entitled to vote if you own, occupy or lease property in the Uralla Shire area as a corporation, business or individual.
However, non-residential roll applications closed on Monday 5 August 2024.
What if my question isn’t answered here? Where can I find more information?
There is more information available on the NSW Electoral Commission website: elections.nsw.gov.au
Uralla Shire Council’s customer service team are also available to assist by calling: (02) 6778 6300 or by visiting us at 32 Salisbury Street Uralla.