2023 Launceston City Council mayoral
by-election

How can the process be secret if my details are shown on the declaration envelope?

1. The reply-paid envelopes are security envelopes so no one can see the elector’s name through the reply-paid envelope.
2. While the elector’s details and signature are included on a perforated flap on the declaration envelope, the flap is removed from the still sealed envelope on the day the envelope is received once the elector has been marked off the roll and the signature checked. This also ensures that electors only vote once.
3. Both the sealed envelope and separated declaration slips are stored in separate secure areas. All sealed envelopes and declaration slips are stored under special audit headers to ensure all are accounted for across the full process.
4. On the day the poll closes, the sealed envelopes are taken to the extraction and counting areas where the envelopes will be cut open. The extraction of ballot papers is a fully audited and balanced process that does not commence until after the poll closes at 2pm.
5. The declaration slips are kept in storage with the returning officer and are returned to the TEC (along with all other election material) for secure storage until the end of the election appeal period.