Over 1.3 Million Cast Their Votes Early: Here’s How To Vote In The NSW Council Elections On Saturday
Image: Some of the candidates for Lord Mayor of Sydney at the 2024 council elections. (Clockwise from top left) Sylvie Ellsmore, Clover Moore, Yvonne Weldon, Sue Ritchie, Baiyu Jessica Chen, Lyndon Gannon, Zann Maxwell and Sam Danieli.
By Cassandra Pace
As we head into the 2024 NSW Local Government Election Day, the state has seen record numbers of early voters, with over 1.3 million people handing in their ballot papers. Around 1,113,740 people voted early and 213,012 postal votes have been returned and scrutinised, in the lead-up to election day on Saturday, said NSW Electoral Commission.
Acting NSW Electoral Commissioner Dr Mathew Phillips urged eligible voters to cast their vote on Saturday. “Voting at NSW local council elections is compulsory. You have until 6 pm on Saturday, September 14 to cast your vote or penalties may apply”, Phillips said.
“Voters who wish to cast their votes in person must do so within their local council area and ward. Voters can find their nearest pre-poll or polling place, opening hours, and candidates using the address lookup tool at elections.nsw.gov.au,” Phillips added.
There are around 5,630,319 electors (as of August 2024), who are eligible to vote at the NSW local council elections this year. They will decide the fate of over 3889 candidates who are on the ballot for the 2024 elections to elect councillors for around 128 local government councils in NSW.
Around 2,100 Polling Places On Saturday
On election day about 2,100 polling places will remain open across NSW from 8 am to 6 pm. The details of the nearest polling place can be found through the address lookup tool which will provide you with information about the polling places nearest to you.
Phillips highlights that multilingual election officials will be on-site at multiple polling places across NSW to ensure that everyone can successfully vote. “They will be wearing badges to indicate the language they speak or voters can call TIS National on 131 450 and ask them to call us on 1300 135 736”, said Phillips.
Additionally, Auslan interpreters will also be available on election day by contacting the Electoral Commission through Skype on NSWelections Auslan or NSWelections Auslan 2 for further assistance.
With postal vote applications now closed, voters needed to complete their postal votes by 6 pm on election day and it must be received by the NSW Electoral Commission no later than 6 pm on Friday, September 27, for their vote to be counted.
Local Issues And Beyond
In Sydney and its inner suburbs, the election campaign has been marked by significant issues – local, national, and international. Candidates are campaigning on local concerns including housing affordability, public transport enhancements, local services, infrastructure, and the care for our environment. The war in Gaza has also made its appearance, with candidates’ views on the issue called into question in the progressive inner suburbs.
Clover Moore – the longest-serving, and the first woman elected Lord Mayor in the City of Sydney’s history in 2004 – is also one of the candidates at the elections. Moore is looking for a sixth consecutive term as Lord Mayor of Sydney.
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