Local government elections 2022


Local government election tagline - Make your mark. Vote local.

 Recent amendments to the Local Government Act 1993 mean that voting in local government elections is now compulsory for all electors on the State roll. Learn more (media release from Minister, 2 June 2022)  

Ways to vote

Unlike attendance voting on polling day for Parliamentary elections, local government elections in Tasmania are conducted by postal ballot.

  Polling closed at 2pm Tuesday 25 October 2022.

sample ballot pack envelope

Where's my ballot pack?

Australia Post delivered all packs between Monday 3 and Friday 7 October. If you haven't received your ballot pack follow this procedure  


Replacement ballot packs

If you haven't received or require a replacement ballot pack, it's too late for us to post one. But there is still an option available:


What happens if I am unable to vote?

If you are unable:

  • to access your original ballot pack, issued to your enrolled postal address,
  • to receive a ballot pack sent to an alternative address (this service no longer available), or
  • to pick up a supplementary ballot pack from your council office between Monday 10 October and the morning of Tuesday 25 October

please don't contact the TEC now. You will be sent a letter after the election, you can advise of us your valid excuse then.

  Update, Wednesday 14 December 2022 - Failure to vote notices have been posted to electors who appeared to have failed to vote. On this occassion, the Commissioner has resolved that no penalties will be issued for the 2022 local government elections.
TEC media release, 14 December 2022  
Learn more  

illustration of a ballot paper envelope being placed inside a postal return envelope

Returning your ballot pack before the close of polling

To ensure your vote is received by the returning officer by 2pm Tuesday 25 October, drop your completed declaration envelope into the ballot box at your local council.

Council issuing and receiving locations  


Impartial assisted voting

 Impartial Assisted Voting service are now closed.

With the support of local councils, the TEC will be providing impartial assisted voting in each municipal area across Tasmania.


Keeping your vote private and secure

How ballot envelopes work to keep your vote private and secure.


Counting systems used at local government elections

All councillor elections are conducted using a slightly modified version of the Hare-Clark electoral system used for Tasmanian House of Assembly elections.

Mayors and deputy mayor elections are conducted using a preferential electoral system similar to that used for Tasmanian Legislative Council and Commonwealth House of Representatives elections.

The Robson rotation system is used to rotate the order in which candidate names appear on ballot papers for councillor, mayoral and deputy mayoral elections.

Tips about marking your ballot paper for local government elections

Q. Can I use a pen to mark my ballot paper?

A.

You can use a pen, pencil or felt pen when marking your ballot paper, as long as your numbers are clear.

We supply pencils in polling places because they last well between elections and can always be sharpened.

Q. Why are there two sets of instructions?

A.

Section 289 of the Local Government Act 1993, requires the council ballot papers to contain two instructions:

  • The first directs you to provide a preference for each candidate
  • The second informs you of the minimum number of consecutive preferences required to cast a formal vote.

Update for 2022 elections: An elector will be instructed on each ballot paper to number the boxes from 1 to the total number of candidates for an election in order of their choice.

For the councillor ballot paper to be formal an elector must number at least 5 boxes to make their vote count. For mayor and deputy mayor, an elector must number at least one box to make their vote count.


Q. Why should I mark more than the minimum number of preferences?

A.

The more preferences you mark, the longer your ballot paper can stay in the count.

Here's a real-life example:

At the 2009 Launceston City Mayor election between three candidates, the result was decided by three votes.

399 ballot papers could not be included in the final decision because they did not show a second preference - they droppped out of the count once the first preference was used. If some or all of these electors had recorded a second preference, the margin or result could have been very different.

Q.  Why are candidate names not listed in alphabetical order on ballot papers?

A.

The order of the candidate names are rotated for all Tasmanian parliamentary and local government ballot papers. This is to ensure that preferred positions on the ballot paper are shared equally between all candidates.

Q.  If I make a mistake can I cross out, or write numbers outside the squares?

A.

Yes you can. Under section 300(2) of the Local Government Act 1993, a ballot paper can be counted if the elector’s intention is clear.

In other words, as long as the electoral official or returning officer can identify which candidate has been given each of your preferences the ballot paper can be included in the count.

Q. Do you have a large field of candidates?

A.

Completing your ballot paper when there is a large field of candidates can be difficult.

One handy tip is to use the information booklet as a place to make notes or even give a 'grade' for each candidate as you read. This may help you decide how to allocate your preferences.

Q. What else do I need to be aware of when voting?

A.

When voting, be aware that successful candidates for mayor and deputy mayor must also be elected as councillors to be able to accept the office of mayor or deputy mayor.


Where can I lodge my postal ballot?

Each ballot pack has a reply paid envelope for return of your signed, sealed declaration envelope with ballot papers inside. No postage stamp is required.

Alternatively, or as time runs out, you may wish to take your signed and sealed (with completed ballot paper(s) inside) ballot paper envelope to your local council office for lodgement in a sealed TEC issued ballot box.


Related information

Voting information

Local government elections are conducted by postal ballot...

Learn more   
Your candidates

Candidates by council. Includes candidate statements...

Learn more   
Enrolment

Check your enrolment, update your details, or enrol to vote...
(opens in new tab)

Learn more   
Information for candidates

Handbook + other information...

Learn more   
Local government areas

Map of Tasmania's local government (municipal) boundaries.

Map [PDF, 2.0MB]  
Previous elections

Results of previous elections.
(opens in new tab)

Learn more