Holroyd City Council

Holroyd Council can do!

Local Government Elections

The 2008 Local Government Elections will be held on Saturday 13 September 2008.

Other important dates to note are as follows:

  • Rolls close on Monday 4 August 2008.
  • Nominations close on Wednesday 13 August 2008.
  • Registrations of How-to-Vote Material closes on Monday 25 August 2008.

Holroyd City Council has twelve elected Councillors. This is based on the election of three Councillors from each of Council’s four Wards - North, South, East and West. The Mayor is elected each year, from amongst the twelve Councillors. Local Government elections are held every four years.

Voting is compulsory for anyone who is over the age of 18 years and who is an Australian citizen. Young people are invited to enrol to vote as part of Enrol to Vote Week.

The NSW Electoral Commission provide more information on the elections. All residents who qualify should register with the Australian Electoral Commission.

Standing for Council Election

The first stage in a Council election is calling for nominations.

People who are allowed to vote in the Holroyd Local Government Area can stand for election. The nominee must be nominated by at least two other people in the community. This nominee is called a ‘Candidate’.

The Department of Local Government and the Local Government and Shires Association have developed a guide for people thinking of becoming a candidate.

All nominations must be registered with the Electoral Commission NSW by Wednesday 13 August 2008.

Campaigning

The second stage in a Council election is for candidates to promote themselves to the community.

Candidates explain to the community what they would do if elected to Council and how the community will benefit from them being elected to represent the community. Candidates normally campaign through local newspapers and letterbox drops, visiting prominent areas of their Ward and speaking to people of the community.

Candidate Information Seminars

If you intend to run as a candidate at the 2008 Local Council elections you should attend a  free Candidate Information Seminar organised and conducted by the NSW Electoral  Commission.

As a candidate for election  you will have obligations and responsibilities under law that you should be  aware of. Even if you have been a candidate in the past or are a Councillor  seeking re-election, you should attend.

The seminars will cover a  range of topics including the election timetable, nominations and groups, mayoral  elections, election advertising and how-to-vote material, public scrutiny of  candidates, voting and formality, scrutineering, vote counting and Election Funding obligations. Pre-registration is not required.

Information Booths

On 1 May 2007 Council resolved to adopt the 'Public Place (Footpath and Road) Occupation Policy – Local Government, State and Federal Elections' policy. The policy will allow elected representatives, and potential candidates, to hold information booths for the public and provide guidance for Council to assess requests that may arise in the lead up to any Federal, State and Local Government Elections.

The Policy provides that during the electoral term only elected members of State and Federal Parliament and elected members of Council may make an application for a permit. Following the issuing of writs for State and Federal Elections or the Election Day being nominated by the relevant Electoral Commission, or their nominated person, a candidate may make an application.

To ensure that the use does not impact upon our shopkeepers nor obstruct the flow of pedestrians, specific locations and times have been set. Other restrictions include the area occupied by the booth, the frequency of permits issued, the day of the week and time of the day the occupation can occur and the duration of the occupation. The sale of goods or seeking of donations will be prohibited.

Applications must be made to Council's Customer Service Centre using the Elections Public Place Occupation Form and more information can be obtained by contacting Council's Customer Service Centre on 9840 9840.

Voting

Voting is compulsory for any person aged 18 or over, is an Australian citizen or has lived in the area for at least three months. It is the best way for residents to have their say in how the local area will be run, and who they wish to represent them.

People who own property in the Holroyd Local Government Area or are proprietors of a business in the Holroyd Local Government Area but do not live there are still entitled to vote in the Holroyd area. These people must complete a non-residential roll inclusion form to be allowed to vote in the Holroyd City Council Election and send it to Council by Monday 4 August.

On Election Day, Saturday, 13 September 2008, each voter visits a polling place and will be given a ballot paper listing the names of all candidates in the Election. The voter must then rank the candidates in order of preference.

A list of polling places in the Holroyd Local Government Area will be advertised during the period leading up to the Election. Polling places are open from 8am to 6pm.

Absentee Voting

There is no absentee voting, pre-arranged interstate or overseas voting for Local Government Elections.

Postal Voting

Application forms for a postal vote can be obtained from Holroyd City Council’s Customer Service Centre and must be received by the Returning Officer for Holroyd City Council not later than 5.00 pm on Monday, 8 September 2008.

Completed postal votes must be received by the Returning Officer before 6.00 pm on Monday, 15 September 2008.

To qualify for postal vote the elector must declare that one of the following applies:

  • will not be in the Ward or Council area during polling hours (8 am to 6 pm) on election day;
  • will not be within 8 kilometres of any polling place open on election day in the Ward or Council area during polling hours (8 am to 6 pm);
  • will be travelling under conditions which will prevent voting at any such polling place during polling hours (8 am to 6 pm) on election day;
  • is seriously ill or disabled and cannot attend any such polling place;
  • is prevented by approaching maternity from attending any such polling place;
  • is a member of a religious order or have religious beliefs which prevent you from attending any such polling place or voting during polling hours (8 am to 6 pm) on election day;
  • is in prison and are precluded from attending any such polling place to vote;
  • is at a place other than a hospital, caring for a person who requires care for medical reasons and will be prevented from attending any such polling place;
  • will be working during polling hours (8 am to 6 pm) on election day and will not be able to attend at a polling place to vote.

Pre-Poll Voting

Pre-poll voting will be available at the Returning Officer’s office and other locations appointed by the NSWEC during the two weeks prior to election day. Dates and hours of operation are advertised in local newspapers, on the Electoral Commission NSW website and on Council’s website.

To qualify for a pre-poll vote the elector must declare that one of the following applies:

  • will not be in the Ward or Council area during polling hours (8 am to 6 pm) on election day;
  • will not be within 8 kilometres of any polling place open in the Ward or Council area on election day during polling hours (8 am to 6 pm);
  • will be travelling under conditions which will prevent you from voting at any such polling place during polling hours (8 am to 6 pm) on election day;
  • is a member of a religious order or have religious beliefs which prevent you from attending any such polling place or voting during polling hours (8 am to 6 pm) on election day;
  • is at a place other than a hospital, caring for a person who requires care for medical reasons and will be prevented from attending any such polling place;
  • will be working during polling hours (8 am to 6 pm) on election day and will not be able to attend at a polling place to vote.

How do I enrol to vote?

The Australian Electoral Commission has recently revised its form to enrol to vote which you can complete and send in. Otherwise please visit the Australian Electoral Commission or phone them on 13 23 26.

All Enrol to Vote forms must be returned to the Australian Electoral Commission by Monday, 4 August 2008.

Election of Mayor

The Mayor of Holroyd City Council for 2008 will be elected from the 12 new Councillors at the next Council Meeting after the Local Government Elections, which will be Tuesday, 16 September 2008. This is a ‘Special Council Meeting’ which will also determine the placement of Councillors on Committees of Council.

For further information about the 2008 Local Government Elections, visit the Electoral Commission NSW .

Working at Local Government Elections

People interested in working as an Election Official at the 2008 Local Government Elections should visit the Electoral Commission NSW.