Media Releases

Shelley Hancock – Minister for Local Government

Monday, 22 November 2021

The time has come for many to cast their vote in the NSW Local Government Elections, with pre-poll voting open from today until the day prior to the polls – locked in for Saturday, December 4.

Minister for Local Government Shelley Hancock said eligibility criteria for pre-poll voting was more relaxed this year to ease Election Day crowds in two weeks’ time.

“One of the measures taken to ensure COVID-safe elections this year is the relaxing of eligibility criteria to vote during the pre-poll voting period,” Mrs Hancock said.

“This will mean voting will not occur on a single day but over an election period of 12 days, including election day, to help with social distancing at polling places.”

Under the changed eligibility criteria, people are allowed to vote by post if:

• They are self-isolating because of COVID-19;
• They live in a retirement village or nursing home, or are in hospital;
• They reasonably believe attending a polling place on election day will pose a risk to their health or safety, or the health or safety of others.

Technology assisted voting, or iVote, will also be available from today until Election Day and will operate in the same way it does for State elections.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government had no choice but to postpone elections to December 4 to ensure the health and safety of voters, candidates and election staff. The decision was based on advice from NSW Health and the NSW Electoral Commission.

More than $86 million has been given to the NSW Electoral Commission to meet the core costs and minimise financial impacts on communities and their local councils.

Pre-poll and iVote are just two measures being used to ensure COVID-safe elections, more information can be found here.

MEDIA: Damien Bolte | 0498 359 624