More time to enrol for Local Government elections
Published Wednesday, 15 February, 2012 at 06:20 PM
Attorney-General, Minister for Local Government and Special Minister of State
The Honourable Paul Lucas
Queensland voters looking to enrol before local government elections now have more time.
Attorney General and Local Government Minister Paul Lucas today welcomed bipartisan support for the move which means people will be able to enrol to vote in Local Government Elections until February 25, the same day as rolls close for State Government elections.
Mr Lucas said that the date had been set in various forms of the Local Government Act and more recently, the Local Government Electoral Act that rolls close on January 31 in the year of an election.
“The January 31 date has been in various versions of the Act since 1993,” he said.
“This provision is designed to ensure candidates can satisfy requirements to be nominated by six electors in a local government area or division in which the prospective Councillor is to be a candidate.
“In ordinary circumstances, this is not an issue however, in 2012 the date for state and local government elections are in relatively close alignment.
“Moving the close of rolls has the support of the Local Government Association of Queensland.
“It is intended that the change will apply for this cycle only and enrolment for the next local government elections will close on January 31, 2016.
“What this means is that voters who have moved or their enrolment is not up to date enrol for both Local Government elections as long as their enrolment is received before February 25.
“If you’ve moved house or will be 18 years old by April 28, it’s important to ensure you are on the rolls so you are eligible to exercise your democratic right to vote.
“Also, with council elections, you are only able to vote on the day if you are in your Local Government Area.
“However, if you are away, you need to organise in advance for a postal or pre-poll vote.
“Updating your details for Local Government elections mean you will automatically be enrolled for the State election.”
For more information or to enrol to vote, go to www.ecq.qld.gov.au.
Media contact: 3227 8425
Attorney General and Local Government Minister Paul Lucas today welcomed bipartisan support for the move which means people will be able to enrol to vote in Local Government Elections until February 25, the same day as rolls close for State Government elections.
Mr Lucas said that the date had been set in various forms of the Local Government Act and more recently, the Local Government Electoral Act that rolls close on January 31 in the year of an election.
“The January 31 date has been in various versions of the Act since 1993,” he said.
“This provision is designed to ensure candidates can satisfy requirements to be nominated by six electors in a local government area or division in which the prospective Councillor is to be a candidate.
“In ordinary circumstances, this is not an issue however, in 2012 the date for state and local government elections are in relatively close alignment.
“Moving the close of rolls has the support of the Local Government Association of Queensland.
“It is intended that the change will apply for this cycle only and enrolment for the next local government elections will close on January 31, 2016.
“What this means is that voters who have moved or their enrolment is not up to date enrol for both Local Government elections as long as their enrolment is received before February 25.
“If you’ve moved house or will be 18 years old by April 28, it’s important to ensure you are on the rolls so you are eligible to exercise your democratic right to vote.
“Also, with council elections, you are only able to vote on the day if you are in your Local Government Area.
“However, if you are away, you need to organise in advance for a postal or pre-poll vote.
“Updating your details for Local Government elections mean you will automatically be enrolled for the State election.”
For more information or to enrol to vote, go to www.ecq.qld.gov.au.
Media contact: 3227 8425