Your guide to voting at the NSW Local Government elections 2024

Published on 23 July 2024

The 2024 NSW Local Government elections will be held on Saturday 14 September 2024. You will be asked to vote for your local Councillors, and to respond to a Constitutional Referendum question on reducing the total number of Councillors from 15 to 9.

The Local Government election and the referendum will be conducted by the NSW Electoral Commission.

Visit our NSW Local Government election page for more information

What is the NSW Local Government election?

Local government elections are held in NSW on the second Saturday in September every four years. At local government elections, voters in each local government area elect councillors to their local council.

After the new councillors have been elected, they will vote to elect one of the councillors as mayor for a two-year term. At the end of the two-year term the councillors elect a new mayor for the following two years.

What is the Constitutional Referendum?

On 13 May, Council resolved to hold a binding Constitutional Referendum at the 14 September Local Government Election.

The following question will be asked in the Constitutional Referendum:

Woollahra Municipal Council currently has 15 Councillors. Do you favour reducing the total number of Councillors from 15 to 9?

Please note that a reduction in the number Councillors will result in a reduction of Wards across the Woollahra Council Local Government Area, likely to be a reduction of 5 Wards to 3.

If the majority of electors vote yes to this proposal at the upcoming election, the reduction would come into effect for the term of Council commencing in 2028. Voting in the referendum is compulsory for Australian citizens over the age of 18 years. 

For more information on the referendum resolution by Council, visit: Your Say Woollahra.

Check your enrolment details

Voting is compulsory for eligible Australian citizens. All residents are encouraged to check their enrolment details by visiting the NSW Electoral Commission’s website or calling 1300 135 736.

How to cast your vote

There are a number of different ways that you can cast your vote.

1) On election day (Saturday 14 September), in person

There will be many polling stations set up at local schools, churches, community halls and public buildings within the Woollahra Council area. Voting opens at 8am on election day and closes at 6pm.

Looking for where to vote on election day? Use the address lookup tool to identify your ward and find your nearest voting centre (polling place).

2) Postal votes

Voters are eligible for early voting, either in-person or by post, if on election day you:

• are outside the electorate where you are enrolled to vote
• are more than 8km from a polling place
• are travelling
• are unable to leave your workplace to vote
• are seriously ill, infirm, or due to give birth shortly (or caring for someone who is)
• are a patient in hospital and can't vote at the hospital
• have religious beliefs that prevent you from attending a polling place
• are in prison serving a sentence of less than three years or otherwise detained
• are a silent elector
• have a reasonable fear for your safety.

If voters wish to cast a postal vote, voters are able to request a postal ballot from the NSW Electoral Commission’s website from Tuesday, 6 August 2024. Postal vote applications close at 5pm on Monday 9 September 2024.

The distribution of postal packs starts on Monday, 19 August 2024.

3) Early voting, in person

Pre-poll voting is available on Saturday, 7 September and from Monday, 9 September to Friday, 13 September 2024 (note: not available on Sunday).

Pre-poll venues have differing opening hours and days, so check the NSW Electoral Commission website for pre-poll voting information in your area.

Pre-poll Centres in Woollahra Council Area

There are two places within the Woollahra Council Area (Bellevue Hill, Cooper, Double Bay, Paddington and Vaucluse wards) which offer pre-election voting.

1) Church in the Marketplace
400 Oxford Street, Bondi Junction
Assisted access, No designated accessible parking.

Opening Dates and Times: Sat 07 Sep - Fri 13 Sep 2024

Mon - Wed: 8:30am - 5:30pm
Thu: 8:30am - 8:00pm
Fri: 8:30am - 6:00pm
Sat: 9:00am - 6:00pm

2) St Joseph Church
12 Albert St, Edgecliff
Assisted access, no accessible parking, no accessible toilets

Opening Dates and Times: Sat 07 Sep - Fri 13 Sep 2024

Sat 07 Sep - Fri 13 Sep 2024
Mon - Wed: 8:30am - 5:30pm
Thu: 8:30am - 8:00pm
Fri: 8:30am - 6:00pm
Sat: 9:00am - 6:00pm

To find the closest pre-poll venue near you, use the address lookup tool to identify your ward or council/area and find your nearest early voting centre (polling place).

There are five Wards in the Woollahra local government area:

• Bellevue Hill
• Cooper
• Double Bay
• Paddington
• Vaucluse

To find out which Ward you live in, use our interactive map.

Where do I vote?

1. Find your closest voting centre by enter your full address in the address lookup tool.
   
   
2. Select the 'Where can I vote?' button.
   
   
3. View the map (you can also toggle to list view). Blue icons indicate where you can vote early. Orange icons indicate where you can vote on election day.
   
   
4. Select any icon to reveal the venue details.

Election Day Support

The NSW Electoral Commission helpdesk will be available on election day from 8am to 6pm to answer any enquiries:

Election enquiry centre - 1300 135 736 and enquiries@elections.nsw.gov.au

Rules Regarding Election Posters and other Electoral Material

It is illegal and dangerous to fix election campaign posters and corflutes to power poles, Ausgrid kiosks or other network assets, without consent. The removal of posters diverts staff away from their tasks. We appreciate the mindful installation of campaign material by local government candidates.

The regulated election period is from Monday, 5 August 2024 until 6pm, Saturday, 14 September 2024. During this period, all electoral material such as how-to-vote cards and posters must meet the requirements of the legislation in relation to content, type, placement and distribution. 

During the regulated election period, posters must not be displayed on or within any premises occupied or used by, or under the control or management of any Council. 

Some exceptions apply to the display of posters: 

• posters may be displayed on the outer wall, fence or other boundary of the grounds of an enclosure in which a building used for voting is situated
• posters may be displayed within the grounds of an enclosure in which a building used for voting is situated
• posters may be displayed on a vehicle on a road or road related area
• posters may be fixed or attached to a table or stall on a footpath or other public places at any time of day of voting for an election.

There may be public safety concerns regarding the placement of posters, including A-frames, on footpaths or other public spaces and Council will act according to its authority in these matters.

Posters need to be no larger than 0.8m² in area and can only be displayed during the following periods

• 8 weeks immediately preceding the day on which the election is held
• the day on which the election is held
• 1 week immediately following the day on which the election is held.

Represent your community as a Councillor at Woollahra Council

Local councils are the level of government closest to the community. They provide key infrastructure, facilities and services to local residents and are integral to building strong, resilient and connected communities.

Councillors represent their local community’s needs, wants and aspirations and make important decisions on behalf of their local community.

For more information on becoming a councillor, please read NSW Government's Stand for your Community Candidate Guide.(PDF, 3MB)

The NSW Electoral Commission has published a comprehensive candidate handbook for all you need to know about representing your community as a councillor. Read the candidate handbook here.

Find out who will be running as councillors in the Woollahra LGA.

Timeline

Monday 5 August 2024

Councillor nominations open via the Nominations Online Management System (NOMS)

Wednesday 14 August 2024, 12pm

• Councillor nominations close. Find out more about becoming a candidate.
• Registrations to start campaigning close.

Tuesday 8 October - Wednesday 27 November 2024

• Woollahra Council Councillor Induction Program held over multiple dates. Find out more details below.

Councillor Induction Program

Council will deliver an Induction program for Councillors who are elected to Woollahra Council at the 14 September 2024 local government election.  The purpose of the Induction program is to equip councillors with the information they need to perform their role effectively over the first few months with a particular focus on legislative requirements and building positive, collaborative relationships between councillors and staff.

The final program is under development and the tentative dates for sessions to be held are:

Please note: Dates and times will be updated as the induction program is finalised. Please regularly refer back to this page for the most up to date information.

Which ward do I live in?

There are five Wards in the Woollahra local government area:

• Bellevue Hill
• Cooper
• Double Bay
• Paddington
• Vaucluse

To find out which Ward you live in, use our interactive map.

Visit our NSW Local Government election page for more information

Find out who will be running as councillors in the Woollahra LGA.