Voting at local government elections


Local government elections in Tasmania are conducted by post.


This means there is a 'polling period', rather than one polling day as for State parliamentary elections. Every elector receives their own postal ballot pack at their enrolled address. You then have around 3 weeks to complete and post your vote back to the returning officer for your council.

Sample ballot pack envelope


Ballot pack

During the polling period, keep an eye on your letterbox for your ballot pack, which will look similar to this.

Your ballot pack contains all the papers you need to vote in a local government election. 


'Ballot of Power'

Watch this animation about postal voting in Tasmanian local government elections.


The story of your ballot pack:

1

Preparation

Following the announcement of candidates, postal ballot packs are prepared, printed and packed ready for posting. This step usually takes about a week.

2

Delivery

All electors will receive postal ballot packs in their letterboxes. Delivery is usually over the course of a week.

The postal ballot pack contains:

  • ballot paper(s);
  • a booklet containing candidate statements and voting instructions;
  • a ballot paper envelope (this envelope must be signed by the elector to ensure ballot security); and
  • a reply paid envelope for returning your ballot paper envelope which contains your completed ballot paper (voting won’t even cost a stamp)

3

Vote + post back

Electors usually have around three weeks (check the timetable for each election) to complete their ballot paper and return it so that it can be included in the count.

To have their vote counted electors must:

  • mark their preferences on each ballot paper;
  • place the completed ballot paper(s) in the ballot paper envelope (the envelope that has the elector’s name printed on it) and seal it;
  • sign the ballot paper envelope in the box next to the elector’s name;
  • place the ballot paper envelope in the reply paid envelope and seal it; and
  • put the reply paid envelope in the post (no stamp required) so that it reaches the returning officer before the close of polling.