The questions and answers provided below will be regularly updated during the state election.
When will we know who has been elected?
First preferences will be counted immediately after the close of polling at 6pm on Saturday 23 March 2024. Provisional results will be available on election night and will be published on this website. Rechecks and further counting then take place while we wait for the arrival of final postal votes by 10 am on Tuesday 2 April. A full distribution of preferences then begins, which can take several days to complete.
How are the votes counted?
The Hare-Clark counting system is used to elect 7 members to each division.
Why does the media announce results before the TEC?
The TEC does not declare a candidate to be elected until it has been confirmed that they have received the required quota of votes. Before this can be confirmed, a process of counting, rechecking (twice) and distributing preferences must take place. Sometimes it can be clear that a candidate has the required quota, or that they are likely to achieve one, but the TEC won't declare this until the required processes have been completed.
Members of the media may use available data to make predictions and report on likely outcomes at any stage in the election, but this is not an official result.
Is voting compulsory?
Yes. Voting is compulsory for every elector that is entitled to vote.
What are all the different ways to vote?
Voting is in person at a polling place on polling day. However, if you are unable do this, you may be eligible to vote early by one of these alternatives:
Services will be available for vision impaired electors.
Where are the polling places going to be?
On polling day, Saturday 23 March, there will be 255 polling places open across the state. Locations will also be published in The Mercury, The Examiner and The Advocate newspapers on polling day.
Can I vote by post?
If you are unable to vote in person, either early or on polling day, you may be eligible to vote by post. Applications closed at 4 pm on Friday 15 March 2024.
For electors who are interstate or overseas at the time of the election, we recommend you consider using our Telephone Voting service, which will be available from 11 am on Tuesday 12 March.
I am unable to vote. What do I do?
If you are unable to vote on or before polling day by any of the ways listed above or on this page, please don't contact the TEC now. You will be sent a letter after the election. You can advise us of your valid and sufficient reason for not voting by responding to the letter.
I have applied for a postal vote, when will I receive my ballot pack in the mail?
Ballot papers can only be printed when all candidates are known, after the close of nominations. Postal ballot packs will be sent to approved applicants commencing early in the week following the announcement of candidates, from Monday 4 March 2024. Once you have submitted your application (applications closed at 4 pm on Friday 15 March 2024), please be patient as mail processes can be slow.
What do the group and ungrouped headings on my ballot paper mean?
The factors that determine the structure of the ballot paper for a state election are set out in the Electoral Act 2004.
The Act describes three ways that candidates can appear on a ballot paper: under the name of a registered party, as a group that is not a registered party, and ungrouped.
These options relate to the way candidates nominate. Names listed under the heading 'Group A' or 'Group B' etc., is afforded to candidates who are not a member of a registered party and whose nomination has been signed by at least 100 nominators.
There may be multiple candidates who arrange to appear together in the one 'group' column, even though they are not part of a registered party. For this election, we've seen candidates obtaining the required 100 signatures on their nomination and choosing to appear on their own under a 'group' heading, which is also a valid option.
In this way, the Act does give candidates some choices regarding how they appear on the ballot paper.
The reason why one group might be 'Group E' and another 'Group F' relates to the column order. In this example 'E' would be the fifth column and 'F' would be the sixth.
Candidates who appear under the 'ungrouped' heading have nominated with the support of 10 nominators.
How can I find out where I am enrolled?
Visit Check my enrolment on the Australian Electoral Commission website.
Please note that rolls for this election closed at 6 pm Wednesday 21 February 2024. You will be required to vote under the enrolment details recorded as at that time.
How can I update my enrolment?
Visit Update my enrolment on the Australian Electoral Commission website.
Please note that rolls for this election closed at 6 pm Wednesday 21 February 2024. You will be required to vote under the enrolment details recorded as at that time.
Are there any maps available showing electorate boundaries?
Yes. Division maps: Bass, Braddon, Clark, Franklin and Lyons. A statewide map displaying the boundaries of all five House of Assembly divisions.
The TEC also has a search tool that can be used to discover which division an address is in.
Who do I notify when a relative has recently passed away?
Use this form on the Australian Electoral Commission website.
What are the rules around placement of posters and signs?
Apart from certain restrictions on advertising on polling day and within 100 metres of a polling place, the placement of posters and signs does not fall within the jurisdiction of the Tasmanian Electoral Commission.
However, many Tasmanian councils have specific planning schemes and by-laws regulating the placement and size of election posters. Candidates are advised to check with their relevant councils prior to erecting posters and any complaints over size and placement of signs should also be directed towards the relevant councils.
Permission to display posters on private property must always be obtained from the owner of the land concerned.
Before placing posters on public property (e.g. fences or trees) it is advisable to obtain permission from the responsible bodies such as local government (individual councils), the Department of State Growth, etc.
Is it an offence to place electoral matter on electricity poles?
It is an offence under section 109(1)(a) of the Electricity Supply Industry Act 1995 to attach anything to a power pole without proper authority.
The penalty for an offence under this section is a fine not exceeding 50 penalty units for an individual or 100 penalty units for a body corporate.
Queries or complaints related to material being attached to electricity power poles should be directed to TasNetworks.
Is it an offence to display electoral roadside signs and electronic billboards?
The Department of State Growth has produced the Tasmanian Roadside Signs Manual (June 2015). The manual contains the following information in relation to electoral signs:
The erection or display of electoral advertising signs within State and Local Government Roads is prohibited. The provisions of Local Authority Planning Schemes and Bylaws make adequate provision for such advertising.
It is also an offence under section 78(1) of the Traffic Act 1925 for a person to:
Penalty: Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.
Queries or complaints related to roadside signs or electronic billboards should be directed to the Department of State Growth.
How do I apply to work at this election?
Apply to be added to the TEC's casual employment register. Your application will be considered and we will contact you if there's a suitable role.
I'm on the TEC's casual employment register. Why haven't I been offered work yet?
There are many different roles at different times during the election. Offers will be sent out right through to the end of the polling period. If you are concerned, send an email to employment@tec.tas.gov.au.
If your question isn't answed here, email ballot.box@tec.tas.gov.au or call the TEC on 1800 801 701.
A search tool to learn who currently represents you at each level of government.
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