2016 Local Government
Elections Media Kit
RESOURCE
FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS
RESOURCE
VERSION 1: FEBRUARY 2016
MESSAGE FROM THE COMMISSIONER
Dear Members of the press
The Electoral Commission provides this Media Information Kit to
assist with the coverage of the 2016 Local Government Election.
Inside you will find information on the electoral program, statistics
and a timetable outlining the key dates for the elections.
On 6 February 2016 the notice of election was issued marking the beginning of the electoral
period for the 2016 Local Government Election event.
There are 77 council elections in this electoral event spanning the length and breadth of the
great state of Queensland. The Electoral Commission implements strict guidelines to ensure
fair and transparent elections covering diverse councils from the remote Diamantina Council
with approximately 200 enrolled electors, through to the Brisbane City Council with more than
650,000 enrolled electors.
The Commission is committed to ensuring every voter has access to a confidential and secure
voting experience.
We are building on the success of the technology tested during the 2015 State general election.
The Electronic Lookup and Mark Off Device (ELMO) was a resounding success in the areas
trialled and will be rolled out across all polling booths for this election. These devices add an
extra layer of security over individual elector’s details and reduce voter processing time and
lines at polling booths.
Recent changes to the Local Government Electoral Act 2011 (Qld) now allow Electronically
Assisted Voting (EAV) to be used for the Council and Mayoral elections. For the first time
electors with an impairment, low literacy skills or those who live in our state’s remotest
locations can cast a secret ballot in a local government election using out telephone voting
service.
The Commission recognises the important role the media plays in educating and updating
Queensland electors. If you have any queries after using this guide please contact media@ecq.
qld.gov.au.
For more information about the 2016 Local Government Elections, please visit www.ecq.qld.gov.
au.
Sincerely
Walter van der Merwe
Electoral Commissioner
Contents
Introduction1
About the Commission ...................................................................................... 1
The Commissions Functions and Responsibilities..........................................................1
Our Services....................................................................................................................1
Media Enquiries................................................................................................ 2
Email............................................................................................................................... 2
General Enquiries ............................................................................................ 2
Phone ............................................................................................................................ 2
Social Media .................................................................................................................. 2
Election Timeline
3
Election Timeline.............................................................................................. 3
How to Vote
4
Enrolment..........................................................................................................4
How to vote in a Local Government Election........................................................4
Postal voting................................................................................................................. 5
Pre-poll voting............................................................................................................... 5
Electoral visit voting..................................................................................................... 5
Voting in hospitals and nursing homes........................................................................ 5
Election Statistics
6
Electoral Roll.................................................................................................... 6
2012 Local Government Election........................................................................ 6
2012 Local Government Election.........................................................................7
2016 Local Government Election.........................................................................7
Fun Facts...........................................................................................................7
Declaration of Results
8
Declaration of Results and Post-Election Activities............................................ 8
Contents
Frequently Asked Questions
9
Frequently Asked Questions.............................................................................. 9
Who is eligible to Enrol?............................................................................................... 9
Is Enrolling Compulsory?.............................................................................................. 9
Who can vote in an election?......................................................................................... 9
How to enrol.................................................................................................................. 9
Where can people get information on polling booths and prepoll locations?........... 9
When are election results announced?........................................................................ 9
Who can nominate to be a candidate?............................................................................ 9
When is the deadline for nominations?.......................................................................10
When will the candidates be announced?.....................................................................10
Are there restrictions on what can be filmed/photographed on election day?.........10
Statistics on past elections?........................................................................................10
What about people who will be away from home at the time of the election?..............10
What is Optional Preferential Voting?..........................................................................10
First Past the Post ....................................................................................................... 11
How can people find out what electorate they are in?................................................. 11
What happens if a person fails to vote?....................................................................... 11
Contact Details for the Electoral Commission.................................................... 11
Introduction
The Commissions Functions and Responsibilities
• Administering Queensland’s electoral laws, impartially and independently.
• Conducting free and democratic state, local government and industrial elections.
Election Timeline
The Electoral Commission Queensland is an independent statutory authority established by the
Queensland Parliament under the Electoral Act 1992 (Qld). The Commission is responsible for
the impartial conduct of state, local government and industrial elections in Queensland, as well
as the periodic review of electoral boundaries for Parliament and local councils. The upcoming
2016 Local Government electoral event will be the second conducted by the Commission since
the Local Government Electoral Act 2011 (Qld) conferred responsibility for local government
elections to the Commission. For each electoral event the Commission aims to improve ease of
access to voting facilities for all electors.
Introduction
About the Commission
• Promoting the informed participation and confidence of Queenslanders in the electoral
system.
• Providing quality electoral services to stakeholders.
How to Vote
• Managing a comprehensive process for the independent review of government boundaries.
• Conducting industrial elections.
• Administering political party registrations.
• Administering election funding and financial disclosure requirements.
• Undertaking reviews of boundaries and electoral arrangements for local governments.
• Assisting the State Redistribution Commission (as required).
• Maintaining Queensland’s electoral roll.
• Inquiring into preselection for candidates in State and local government elections.
1
Declaration of Results
• Conducting local government quadrennial elections, by-elections and fresh elections.
Frequently Asked
Questions
• Conducting parliamentary elections, by-elections and referendums.
Election Statistics
Our Services
Introduction
Media Enquiries
Email
[email protected]
General Enquiries
Phone
The Commission provides a helpline for all general enquiries for electors throughout the year,
this helpline is available during the business hours of 9am to 6pm Monday to Friday and 8am to
6pm on polling day. For all Non-Voter enquiries please select option 3. Helpline: 1300 881 665
Frequently Asked
Questions
Declaration of Results
Election Statistics
How to Vote
Election Timeline
Introduction
The Electoral Commission can be contacted via email for all media enquiries at [email protected].
gov.au. These queries will be responded to during normal business hours.
1300 881 665
Monday to Friday 9am - 6pm
Social Media
The Electoral Commission has steadily been growing its social media footprint since the 2012
elections. We have found Facebook to give the greatest reach across the state in the social
media sphere and we will continue to use our Facebook page to provide updates on the Local
Government Elections. There will also be information on the Commission’s work prior to and
after elections. The Commission also uploads the current advertising campaigns on YouTube on
the Commission’s channel.
https://www.facebook.com/electoralcommissionqld
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNRP_z2XZo-YFI9m5AasABg
2
Election Timeline
Election Timeline
6 February
Candidate nominations open
6 February
Close of electoral rolls
12 February – 5pm
Close of candidate nominations
16 February – 12pm
Ballot paper candidate positions drawn
17 February
Pre-Poll in person voting begins
7 March
Postal vote applications close
16 March – 7pm
Pre-Poll in person voting closes
18 March – 6pm
Polling day
19 March – 8am to 6pm
Last day for postal votes to be received
29 March
Election results declared
TBA
Final day for election results to be disputed
7 days after results are declared
Election Timeline
Application for postal votes commence
How to Vote
6 February
Election Statistics
Notice of election
Declaration of Results
Date in 2016
Frequently Asked
Questions
Event
Introduction
There are many logistical challenges involved in successfully conducting a Local Government
electoral event. These are illustrated by the chain of critical events that needs to be put in place
in order for an elector’s vote to be cast and counted. Below is a list of the key milestones for
this election period.
3
How to Vote
Enrolment
Enrolment and voting are compulsory for all eligible citizens aged 18 and over.
Frequently Asked
Questions
Declaration of Results
Election Statistics
How to Vote
Election Timeline
Introduction
Electors can check their enrolment details on the Australian Electoral Commission website
http://www.aec.gov.au/
The Electoral Roll for the Local Government electoral event closes on 12 February 2016.
Electors who fail to enrol by the official Close of Rolls still have the opportunity to enrol or
update their address details if they lodge an enrolment form by 6pm on Friday before polling
day, but will be required to cast a declaration vote. Eligible electors are strongly encouraged to
enrol/update their enrolment details before the official Close of Rolls.
How to vote in a Local Government Election
The Local Government Electoral event occurs on Saturday 19 March 2016. Electors must vote
at polling booths in their local government area, as the Local Government Electoral Act 2011
(Qld) makes no provision for absent voting outside of the council area. For the vast majority of
divided and undivided councils voting will occur in person at polling booths within the council
boundaries. 22 Councils will be designated as a postal vote election only listed below.
Balonne Shire Council
Goondiwindi Regional Council
Banana Shire Council
Isaac Regional Council (Division 1 & Division 8)
Barcaldine Regional Council
Longreach Regional Council
Barcoo Shire Council
Maranoa Regional Council
Blackall-Tambo Regional Council
McKinlay Shire Council
Bulloo Shire Council
North Burnett Regional Council
Burke Shire Council
Paroo Shire Council
Central Highlands Regional Council
Quilpie Shire Council
Cook Shire Council
Richmond Shire Council
Diamantina Shire Council
Southern Downs Regional Council
Etheridge Shire Council
Western Downs Regional Council
4
How to Vote
If an elector is unable to get to a local polling booth on Election Day the following options are
available:
Electoral visit voting
Voters who are unable to leave their house because of illness or infirmity (or persons caring for
them) can apply to have an electoral official visit their home so they can vote. The application
must be on the approved form and must be submitted to the returning officer before 6pm
Wednesday 16 March 2016. Queensland remains the only jurisdiction in Australia which
provides this facility.
Voting in hospitals and nursing homes
The majority of hospitals, nursing homes and aged care facilities will not be a polling booth on
polling day. Electoral officials will visit these facilities in the week before polling day to conduct
polling.
Election Timeline
Frequently Asked
Questions
How to Vote
Voters have the option of voting at a pre-poll centre in the lead up to Election Day. Pre-poll
voting will be available from 7 March 2016 at the office of the returning officer or at designated
pre-poll centres in each local government area. A list of these centres will be posted on the
Commission’s website prior to the commencement of pre-poll voting. Pursuant to section 67(b)
other than in a full postal ballot area, an elector may cast their vote at a pre-polling centre
before polling day. Removing the electors’ obligation to complete a declaration for pre-poll
has resulted in an acceleration of the pre-poll voting process, as evidenced by the 2012 Local
Government Election.
Election Statistics
Pre-poll voting
Declaration of Results
Voters can apply for a postal vote, the application must be received by the returning officer no
later than 7pm 16 March 2016.
Introduction
Postal voting
5
Election Statistics
Electoral Roll
2012*
Variance
Total 3,008,301
Total
Introduction
Total 2,746,178
2016**
+ 234,967
Males
Frequently Asked
Questions
Declaration of Results
Election Statistics
How to Vote
Election Timeline
+139,380
Females
1,318,806 Males
1,458,186 Males
1,427,372 Females
1,550,084 Females
*as at 28 April 2012
**as at 18 Jan 2016
+122,712
Other
31 Other
+31
2012 Local Government Election
Total Votes
Ballot Box
$
Election Cost
13,586,956*
*GST inclusive.
Postal votes
720,000
2,206,004
80.33% of total electors.
that’s
Declared Institutions
32% of the
total number of ballots
counted.
Pre-Poll in Person votes
BALLOT PAPER
491 Institutions visited
resulting in 15,965 votes.
222,044
which is
10% of all
ballots counted.
6
Election Statistics
2012 Local Government Election
Councillor
234 Candidates
1292 Candidates
488 Councillors elected
73 Mayors elected
Election Timeline
Introduction
Mayor
Approximately
11,305
152
Electronic Lookup and
Mark Off Device’s
Voting Screens
"Offices in a Box"
Fun Facts
19,565 pencils and 19,565
meters of string in total are being supplied to
polling booths.
60
times the height of Q1, Australia’s
That’s more than
tallest building and iconic Queensland building.
7
Frequently Asked
Questions
have been ordered, stored and shipped all across the state...
Declaration of Results
Election Statistics
6000
How to Vote
2016 Local Government Election
Declaration of Results
After polls close at 6pm on polling day the Electoral Commission will begin to release the results
to the public. These results are published through the Commission website progressively.
As soon as possible after the official count, each Returning Officer will notify the Electoral
Commissioner of the name of the winning candidates in their district. As the notifications are
received, the Commissioner will declare the election in favour of the successful candidate. The
election is officially over when the Commission publishes the notice of results in a newspaper
circulating in the local government area. Official statistical results are prepared, submitted to
the relevant minister then published for the public record.
Following the election every candidate and third party donor must submit returns outlining
details of gifts received, loans received and electoral expenditure. The due date for these
returns falls on 4 July 2016.
Frequently Asked
Questions
Declaration of Results
Election Statistics
How to Vote
Election Timeline
Introduction
Declaration of Results and Post-Election Activities
8
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible to Enrol?
Any person who,
• is an Australian Citizen or a British Subject who was enrolled on 25 January 1984 or, for
Queensland elections, eligible to be on the State electoral roll on 31 December 1991,
Introduction
• is 18 years of age or older,
Is Enrolling Compulsory?
If a person is eligible to be enrolled, enrolment is compulsory.
In Queensland, a joint roll is maintained by the Australian Electoral Commission. This means a
person only needs to complete the one Queensland enrolment form to be on the electoral roll
for Federal, State and local government elections. It is the responsibility of the elector to ensure
their enrolment details are kept current.
How to Vote
A person may provisionally enrol at the age of 16, and vote from turning 18.
Election Timeline
• has lived at their address for at least one (1) month.
To enrol, a person must complete an enrolment form which is available on the Australian
Electoral Commission website. If an elector is physically unable to sign the enrolment form, the
person can make their mark on the form and have someone else witness it. The witness must
be listed on the electoral roll.
Where can people get information on polling booths and prepoll locations?
Information on pre-poll and polling booth locations for elections can be found on the
Commission website, www.ecq.qld.gov.au or by calling the helpline 1300 881 665.
When are election results announced?
Results for elections are released progressively on the Commission website after the close of
polling on 19 March 2016.
Who can nominate to be a candidate?
To qualify as a candidate, a person must:
• be an Australian citizen enrolled on the Queensland electoral roll;
• be nominated by six electors who are currently enrolled in the local government area the
person will be contesting, or be endorsed by a registered political party;
9
Declaration of Results
How to enrol
Frequently Asked
Questions
Any person who is enrolled prior to polling day can vote in an election.
Election Statistics
Who can vote in an election?
Frequently Asked Questions
• not be disqualified from nominating under Local Government Act 2009 (Qld);
Election Timeline
Introduction
• pay a $250 deposit by cash, bank cheque or online through bpoint.com.au. Candidates
can also pay their registration using EFTPOS at ECQ head office in Brisbane CBD only. This
deposit is refunded if:
• the candidate achieves more than four percent of the total number of formal firstpreference votes if the system of voting is optional-preferential voting,
• the candidate achieves more than four percent of the total number of formal votes if the
system of voting is first-past-the-post
When is the deadline for nominations?
Nominations of candidates are closed not less than eight days, nor more than 18 days after the
notice of the election is published. For the 2016 Local Government Elections nominations close
at noon Tuesday 16 February 2016.
How to Vote
When will the candidates be announced?
As soon as practicable after noon on the cut-off day for nominations, the Commission will
publish the list of candidates in ballot paper order on the ECQ website and at the office of the
Returning Officer.
Frequently Asked
Questions
Declaration of Results
Election Statistics
Are there restrictions on what can be filmed/photographed on election day?
If the media wish to film or take photos inside a polling booth a request must be made through
[email protected].
Statistics on past elections?
Statistical Returns are completed after each election held by the Electoral Commission, these
can be found on the Commissions website, www.ecq.qld.gov.au.
What about people who will be away from home at the time of the election?
Electors can vote at any polling booth within their enrolled council, there will be pre polling held
at the Brisbane Town Hall for residents that live in Ipswich, Logan, Moreton Bay, Redlands, Gold
Coast and Sunshine Coast city councils. This polling booth will remain open on polling day.
Electors who are not in Queensland during the election can apply for a postal vote or cast their
vote at a Pre-poll centre prior to polling day.
What is Optional Preferential Voting?
Optional Preferential Voting (OPV) is the system of voting in local government areas that are
divided into divisions. OPV will also be the system of voting for all mayoral elections.
OPV is a unique voting system giving voters a choice to vote for one candidate, more than one
or, all candidates on the ballot paper. Voters can cast a valid vote by either:
• expressing a single primary preference for one candidate only (marking only one square,
10
Frequently Asked Questions
leaving all the others blank);
First Past the Post
First Past The Post (FPTP) is the system of voting for undivided local government areas.
Under the first past the post voting system the candidate who receives the most votes is
elected. FPTP simply requires an elector to place a mark (for example a tick or cross) in the
square opposite the name of the candidate or candidates they support. Precise instructions on
the method of voting will be printed on the ballot paper.
Election Timeline
• expressing a full distribution of preferences (marking each and every square in order of
preference).
Introduction
• expressing a partial distribution of preferences by voting for some, but not all candidates on
the ballot paper (marking some but not all squares);
Voting is compulsory in Queensland parliamentary and local government elections and the
Electoral Commission has a statutory obligation to follow up cases of apparent failure to vote.
However, persons who have a valid and sufficient reason for not voting will be excused. The
Commission writes to electors who appear not to have voted inviting them to contact the
Commission if they feel they have a reasonable explanation for not voting. Electors who accept
they do not have a valid reason may finalise the matter through payment of the penalty.
Contact Details for the Electoral Commission
Office Address:
Level 6, Forestry House
160 Mary Street
Brisbane Queensland 4001
(Office hours 9:00am-5:00pm Monday to
Friday)
Postal Address:
GPO Box 1393
BRISBANE QLD 4000
11
Election Statistics
What happens if a person fails to vote?
Declaration of Results
People are also welcome to check the electoral rolls at the Commission’s office or an Australian
Electoral Commission office.
Frequently Asked
Questions
People can check their enrolment details at www.aec.gov.au which will tell them if they are
enrolled and in what electorate they are enrolled in. Maps of all Queensland electorates are
available on the Commission website.
How to Vote
How can people find out what electorate they are in?
Electoral Enquiries:
1300 881 665
(07) 3229 7391 (Fax)
Email Address:
[email protected]
From Outside Australia:
Phone:
+61 7 3227 6444
+61 7 3229 7391 (Fax)
Email Address:
[email protected]
Website:
www.ecq.qld.gov.au
Frequently Asked
Questions
Declaration of Results
Election Statistics
How to Vote
Election Timeline
Introduction
Frequently Asked Questions
12
Post: Telephone:
Fax:
Email:
GPO Box 1393 BRISBANE QLD 4001
1300 881 665
(07) 3229 7391
[email protected]