Local government elections 2026
In 2026, elections are being conducted in all 29 of Tasmania's local government areas. This includes the election of councillors, a mayor and a deputy mayor for each council to serve a four-year term of office.
Local government elections are conducted by postal ballot and voting is compulsory for all electors on the State roll.
Nominations open
Enrolment closes
Nominations close*
Nominations announced
Ballot packs delivered by post
Close of poll
Counting commences
* Nominations to fill King Island and Tasman councillor vacancies closed at 12 noon, Monday 28 September.
Voting closed at 2 pm on Tuesday 27 October 2026.
Voting in the 2026 local government elections was by postal ballot. Ballot packs were sent to enrolled electors, who completed and returned their votes during the polling period.
Replacement ballot packs and ballot-return services were available through council offices. Telephone Assisted Voting was also available for eligible interstate and overseas electors and people with a print disability.
Follow our step-by-step guide to complete and return your postal ballot papers, available in 11 language versions.
View the guide
Learn about the 2026 local government elections with an Easy Read guide you can read online, listen to, download or view as plain text.
Open the Easy Read guide
This A3 poster provides a quick overview of what you’re voting for, how to complete your ballot papers and what local councils do.
Download the quick guide (PDF)
Answers to some common questions about voting, enrolment, campaigning, working at elections and how elections work.
View FAQs
Explore short articles about how councils work, how local representatives are elected and how Tasmania’s statewide local government elections are run.
Explore the learning hub
Explore key dates, postal voting and the role of local government in this short, self-guided slide deck for classrooms and community groups.
Download the slide deck (PDF)Visit our community information kit for resources and materials you can share with your community.
Information is available to support candidates and provide guidance on the rules that must be followed during the election period.
You’ll find the candidate handbook, nomination details, and requirements for submitting candidate statements and photographs.
Rolls for these local government elections closed at 6pm Thursday 10 September 2026. If you have moved recently, or other details have changed, you can still update your enrolment for future elections.
Everyone on the State roll is automatically enrolled and required to vote in local government elections.
People who own or occupy land in a municipal area, or are the nominated representatives of a corporate body that owns or occupies land in that municipal area, may also be eligible to vote if they have enrolled with the General Manager of their council by the above date.
Candidates, printers, publishers and broadcasters are required to submit an electoral advertising return to the TEC, reporting particulars of election-related advertising.
This information must be returned no later than 45 days after the day on which the certificate of election is issued.
Further information is available for candidates, printers, publishers and broadcasters.