Your guide to voting at the NSW Local Government elections

The NSW Local Government elections are managed by the NSW Electoral Commission. Voting will be different this year in response to COVID-19. You can vote in person on election day, Saturday 4 December 2021 or before the election at a pre-poll venue, apply for a postal vote or apply for iVote.

To ensure a COVID-safe election, please remember you can only vote in your local council area – there is no absentee voting this year.

All voters for the Woollahra Local Government Area are entitled to a postal vote.

The details on how, when and where you can vote in the Woollahra Municipal Council Local Government elections are provided below:

Early Voting Options

Voting is compulsory. Every person whose name is on the Council’s residential roll for a NSW Local Government election must vote in the election.  If you applied to be included on the Non-Residential Roll for the election you must also vote in the election.

To check if and where you are enrolled to vote on the NSW Electoral Commission’s website: elections.nsw.gov.au.

Failure to vote may result in a $55 fine issued by the NSW Electoral Commission. Early voting options are provided below:

Voting in person

Pre-poll voting begins on Monday 22 November and ends on Friday 3 December.  
Early voting in person is available to all voters at these elections to help us stay COVID-Safe.

Pre-poll venues for Woollahra Local Government elections are:

• Woollahra Returning Officer’s Office
  Level 4, 202-233 New South Head Road, Edgecliff NSW 2027
  Opening Hours:     22 November 2021 – 3 Dec 2021  
  Monday to Saturday 9.00am – 5.00pm
• Church in the Marketplace
  400 Oxford Street, Bondi Junction NSW 2022
  Opening Hours: 22 November 2021 – 3 Dec 2021
  Monday to Saturday 9.00am – 5.00pm

Voting by post*

If you are enrolled in the Woollahra Local Government area, you can apply for a postal vote. To vote by post and have your ballot papers sent to you, apply online or download a form. Applications are open until 29 November 2021. Postal ballot papers will be sent out from Monday 8 November.

*Subject to eligibility. Check your eligibility at NSW Electoral Commission website.

Voting online (iVote)*

Eligible voters may be able to apply to use the NSW Electoral Commission's technology-assisted voting platform, iVote, at these elections. Eligible voters can register online at NSW Electoral Commission website or by calling 1300 24 86 83. Applications will open from 9am, Monday 22 November and applications close at 1pm, Saturday 4 December. Voting using iVote closes at 6pm, Saturday 4 December. View a step-by-step video guide on how to use iVote, including eligibility criteria.

*Subject to eligibility. Check your eligibility at NSW Electoral Commission website.

Voting on the day

To vote on election day, Saturday 4 December, visit a polling place in the local area from 8am to 6pm. You can vote in person at one of 30 polling places in Woollahra Local Government Area.

Voting safely

The NSW Electoral Commission has developed a COVID-19 safety plan for the 2021 Local Government election. When voting at a polling place you will be required to check in, wear a mask, physically distance, use a single use pen and sanitise your hands.

Stay up to date

For further information visit Council’s website woollahra.nsw.gov.au/2021elections or www.elections.nsw.gov.au