The local government elections in New South Wales are taking place very soon. Let's find out a bit more about them and speak to the Executive Director for the Electoral Commission in New South Wales, Andrea Summerill. Andrea, lovely to meet you. Thanks so much for your time.

The local government elections in New South Wales are taking place very soon. Let's find out a bit more about them and speak to the Executive Director for the Electoral Commission in New South Wales, Andrea Summerill. Andrea, lovely to meet you. Thanks so much for your time.

Good morning. Nice to meet you. Also tell us a bit.

Good morning. Nice to meet you. Also tell us a bit.

About the elections then when are they happening and what are some of the key dates that we should be thinking about? Sure.

About the elections then when are they happening and what are some of the key dates that we should be thinking about? Sure.

The election date itself is on the 14th of September, so it is coming along quite soon but there are some key dates to to think about in the lead up to Election Day. One of those is applications for Braille ballot papers. So for local government elections, uh electors can have , a ballot paper in Braille that's sent to them or is available to collect at a voting center. But applications for those are open now but close on the 5th of August. so that's one of the key dates. The other thing is around early voting options. So some electors will be eligible to vote prior to the 14th of September election day. And that includes postal vote applications. So if an elector wants to vote via post and they are eligible, we'll have applications for those open on the 6th of August and also early voting. So if an elector is going to be out of the area on election day, then early voting will open on the Saturday prior to Election day, and we'll have information about where those locations are on our website as they become available.

The election date itself is on the 14th of September, so it is coming along quite soon but there are some key dates to to think about in the lead up to Election Day. One of those is applications for Braille ballot papers. So for local government elections, uh electors can have , a ballot paper in Braille that's sent to them or is available to collect at a voting center. But applications for those are open now but close on the 5th of August. so that's one of the key dates. The other thing is around early voting options. So some electors will be eligible to vote prior to the 14th of September election day. And that includes postal vote applications. So if an elector wants to vote via post and they are eligible, we'll have applications for those open on the 6th of August and also early voting. So if an elector is going to be out of the area on election day, then early voting will open on the Saturday prior to Election day, and we'll have information about where those locations are on our website as they become available.

All right. Now, as far as registering goes, if people are on the electoral roll already, as in, you know, they voted at the last state or federal election, that kind of means they're already registered. Or do you have to specifically have to register for a local government election? No.

All right. Now, as far as registering goes, if people are on the electoral roll already, as in, you know, they voted at the last state or federal election, that kind of means they're already registered. Or do you have to specifically have to register for a local government election? No.

If they are on the electoral roll already and all of their details are correct, so their current address, then they'll be automatically on the roll for local government elections. However, if they have moved since the last election, they need to update their address with the Australian Electoral Commission who maintain the roll. And it's really important that all of those updates are done before the 5th of August to make sure that they're on the roll because we print those in advance of Election Day. So we'll be going out with social media and messages. But the 5th of August is when the rolls close for that election. There are still some options for people to , update their enrolment in a voting center, but the best way is to get yourself updated and ready on the electoral roll before the 5th of August. And more information about that process is on our website. Elections NSW gov dot au

If they are on the electoral roll already and all of their details are correct, so their current address, then they'll be automatically on the roll for local government elections. However, if they have moved since the last election, they need to update their address with the Australian Electoral Commission who maintain the roll. And it's really important that all of those updates are done before the 5th of August to make sure that they're on the roll because we print those in advance of Election Day. So we'll be going out with social media and messages. But the 5th of August is when the rolls close for that election. There are still some options for people to , update their enrolment in a voting center, but the best way is to get yourself updated and ready on the electoral roll before the 5th of August. And more information about that process is on our website. Elections NSW gov dot au

You will repeat that before we wrap up. What about as far as voting itself goes? Andrew? Is it compulsory? Do we have to vote if we, uh, if we're in New South Wales.

You will repeat that before we wrap up. What about as far as voting itself goes? Andrew? Is it compulsory? Do we have to vote if we, uh, if we're in New South Wales.

New South Wales, voting for local government elections is compulsory. So everyone who's on the electoral roll must vote on election day or using one of those voting options beforehand. Uh, otherwise, yeah, you will receive a fine if you don't vote.

New South Wales, voting for local government elections is compulsory. So everyone who's on the electoral roll must vote on election day or using one of those voting options beforehand. Uh, otherwise, yeah, you will receive a fine if you don't vote.

Mhm.

Mhm.

All right. Well then, you know to avoid that we know what to do and we just go back to the braille, uh, Braille ballot papers. That's a fantastic idea. So congratulations on that. Is this the first time you've done it for a local government election in New South Wales?

All right. Well then, you know to avoid that we know what to do and we just go back to the braille, uh, Braille ballot papers. That's a fantastic idea. So congratulations on that. Is this the first time you've done it for a local government election in New South Wales?

We have done it previously for, local government elections. At state elections, the timeline is very short, and that makes it very difficult for us to prepare Braille ballot papers. And because of that, as you would know, that really large upper house ballot paper, it's not something we offer for state elections, but we have for a number of local government elections now provided Braille, and it is a good service for those who, you, you know, use that allows them to, as I said, either have the braille ballot paper sent to their postal address or they can collect it from an early voting, venue or a polling place on Election day. All right.

We have done it previously for, local government elections. At state elections, the timeline is very short, and that makes it very difficult for us to prepare Braille ballot papers. And because of that, as you would know, that really large upper house ballot paper, it's not something we offer for state elections, but we have for a number of local government elections now provided Braille, and it is a good service for those who, you, you know, use that allows them to, as I said, either have the braille ballot paper sent to their postal address or they can collect it from an early voting, venue or a polling place on Election day. All right.

But you must register to get that, uh, like, even if you got it last time, you don't automatically get it this time. You must kind of say, yes, I'm here. I want it again.

But you must register to get that, uh, like, even if you got it last time, you don't automatically get it this time. You must kind of say, yes, I'm here. I want it again.

Correct unlike the roll that keeps on going, and is ever available to us, that application for Braille ballot papers must be made every single election. So people should just be really mindful of that closing date of 5th of August and get their applications in now.

Correct unlike the roll that keeps on going, and is ever available to us, that application for Braille ballot papers must be made every single election. So people should just be really mindful of that closing date of 5th of August and get their applications in now.

All right. And I guess as far as registering to vote goes, Andrea, obviously, if you've turned 18 in the last little while or since the last election, you'd have to, uh, register to, to vote because, uh, otherwise your name wouldn't be on there, would that be? Right?

All right. And I guess as far as registering to vote goes, Andrea, obviously, if you've turned 18 in the last little while or since the last election, you'd have to, uh, register to, to vote because, uh, otherwise your name wouldn't be on there, would that be? Right?

That's correct. So the people who have, as you say, just turned 18, they need to get themselves on the electoral roll, which they can do through the Australian Electoral Commission, and also for people who have, become new citizens. Also getting on the electoral roll so they will be able to vote for the first time is another really important process and available through the AEC.

That's correct. So the people who have, as you say, just turned 18, they need to get themselves on the electoral roll, which they can do through the Australian Electoral Commission, and also for people who have, become new citizens. Also getting on the electoral roll so they will be able to vote for the first time is another really important process and available through the AEC.

Ah, that's very important message. And, uh, that's very good of you to mention that. Just going back to the ballot papers. So that's just to get the information. You can't vote with those papers. Is that right?

Ah, that's very important message. And, uh, that's very good of you to mention that. Just going back to the ballot papers. So that's just to get the information. You can't vote with those papers. Is that right?

You can. So what will happen? The Braille process is you apply by the 5th of August. And then once we have closed nominations and we know who all of our candidates are, we then prepare our ballot papers. And that's for all of our voters across New South Wales. And at the same time, we will prepare the Braille ballot papers. So if your area is having a councillor election and even maybe a referendum or a poll, we will prepare those ballot papers along with our partners, Vision Australia, to to have those papers prepared. And then, we will if, for example, someone is having them arrive in their postal address, we will then send those packs out and provide the information about how they return those, ballot papers once they've completed them to the returning office, and then they get counted along with all of our other ballot papers.

You can. So what will happen? The Braille process is you apply by the 5th of August. And then once we have closed nominations and we know who all of our candidates are, we then prepare our ballot papers. And that's for all of our voters across New South Wales. And at the same time, we will prepare the Braille ballot papers. So if your area is having a councillor election and even maybe a referendum or a poll, we will prepare those ballot papers along with our partners, Vision Australia, to to have those papers prepared. And then, we will if, for example, someone is having them arrive in their postal address, we will then send those packs out and provide the information about how they return those, ballot papers once they've completed them to the returning office, and then they get counted along with all of our other ballot papers.

Well, Andrea, I've got to say, not living in New South Wales, that is a sensational thing for you to be doing. So congratulations on that. As an individual, if I may say, uh. Uh, it's me editorializing, but that is, uh, a magnificent thing. So, uh, well done to, uh, to all those involved with that. That's, uh, a fantastic initiative. Thank you. Now, what about as far as, uh, on the day, though, are there things in place for people to be assisted to vote on the day?

Well, Andrea, I've got to say, not living in New South Wales, that is a sensational thing for you to be doing. So congratulations on that. As an individual, if I may say, uh. Uh, it's me editorializing, but that is, uh, a magnificent thing. So, uh, well done to, uh, to all those involved with that. That's, uh, a fantastic initiative. Thank you. Now, what about as far as, uh, on the day, though, are there things in place for people to be assisted to vote on the day?

Yes. So on Election day, in all about, voting venues, first of all, on our website, for every venue on election Day, we have information about those venues as to whether they are fully accessible or, partially accessible or not accessible. So people can go on to our website and find the venue that's going to meet the needs for them. Now, secondly, people can take another person to assist them, uh, during that voting process or if they don't have someone that they can take along, uh, speak to the venue manager, so the polling place manager on the day and seek assistance. And then we have election officials that can, help voters, uh, get through that voting process and make sure that they fulfill all their obligations. So there's a few options available there. We also have some assistive tools in the polling place. Uh, we have magnifying sheets that can assist electors with low vision and we also have services that staff can access. And the election officials can help with that, such as, uh, you know, calling voters can contact us through the National Relay Service, and that's available on Election Day as well. Well, that.

Yes. So on Election day, in all about, voting venues, first of all, on our website, for every venue on election Day, we have information about those venues as to whether they are fully accessible or, partially accessible or not accessible. So people can go on to our website and find the venue that's going to meet the needs for them. Now, secondly, people can take another person to assist them, uh, during that voting process or if they don't have someone that they can take along, uh, speak to the venue manager, so the polling place manager on the day and seek assistance. And then we have election officials that can, help voters, uh, get through that voting process and make sure that they fulfill all their obligations. So there's a few options available there. We also have some assistive tools in the polling place. Uh, we have magnifying sheets that can assist electors with low vision and we also have services that staff can access. And the election officials can help with that, such as, uh, you know, calling voters can contact us through the National Relay Service, and that's available on Election Day as well. Well, that.

Sounds fantastic, and certainly making it as much possible as as you can as far as the accessibility goes. Andrea. How important do you think local government elections are? Because often that's kind of the government we're closest to in terms of services we receive.

Sounds fantastic, and certainly making it as much possible as as you can as far as the accessibility goes. Andrea. How important do you think local government elections are? Because often that's kind of the government we're closest to in terms of services we receive.

Correct. So it you know, local government elections are very important, as you say, particularly for those things that most people are aware of. So, uh, council representatives, you know, they're called councillors. And, each council then has a mayor, and it's the council's role to look after the needs of the city and the local community. And so some of those things that they look after that are really important decisions for residents are planning decisions, facilities like libraries, pools, ovals and also your local roads. And of course you know, recycling and rubbish collection, all of those. They have a very, uh, large remit. So voting at a local government election and, making a choice about who is going to be your representatives on council is a really important process. And, that's why we're kind of encouraging all our voters to make sure they understand when the election is and how they're going to, you know, vote during that process.

Correct. So it you know, local government elections are very important, as you say, particularly for those things that most people are aware of. So, uh, council representatives, you know, they're called councillors. And, each council then has a mayor, and it's the council's role to look after the needs of the city and the local community. And so some of those things that they look after that are really important decisions for residents are planning decisions, facilities like libraries, pools, ovals and also your local roads. And of course you know, recycling and rubbish collection, all of those. They have a very, uh, large remit. So voting at a local government election and, making a choice about who is going to be your representatives on council is a really important process. And, that's why we're kind of encouraging all our voters to make sure they understand when the election is and how they're going to, you know, vote during that process.

Fantastic. What do you want to kind of wrap it all up for us? Uh, in a minute or two? Do you want to kind of go through the dates and, and what people need to do? And I guess we should emphasize that voting is compulsory. So if you'd like to avoid the fine, and I'm sure at the moment we'll all like to, uh, be avoiding any extra costs that we need to bear. People should you know, be as prepared as they can be. So they do vote. Uh, what are some of the key dates we need to look out for?

Fantastic. What do you want to kind of wrap it all up for us? Uh, in a minute or two? Do you want to kind of go through the dates and, and what people need to do? And I guess we should emphasize that voting is compulsory. So if you'd like to avoid the fine, and I'm sure at the moment we'll all like to, uh, be avoiding any extra costs that we need to bear. People should you know, be as prepared as they can be. So they do vote. Uh, what are some of the key dates we need to look out for?

Yeah, it's really important, as you say, to plan how you're going to vote not only is it an important process, but as you say, it's compulsory for all electors on on the electoral roll to do so. 14th of September. So 14th of September is election day. And that is still when the majority of electors, go out to vote at their local polling place the The 5th of August is the date by which Braille applications must be made, and also the date by which anyone who needs to update their enrolment details needs to do so with the Australian Electoral Commission. And then, as we go through the voting process, the 6th of August postal vote applications will open. And then on the 7th of September, early voting will commence. But you know, that's a lot of dates to remember. So I would suggest that for all voters preparing for voting at the election, go to our website, elections.nsw.gov.au . Our Local Government 2024 event page is now live and has all of those key dates listed. And it also outlines all of the processes by which people can vote. And as we get closer to the election, it will be where voters can find out information about their candidates and the venue information that I mentioned before.

Yeah, it's really important, as you say, to plan how you're going to vote not only is it an important process, but as you say, it's compulsory for all electors on on the electoral roll to do so. 14th of September. So 14th of September is election day. And that is still when the majority of electors, go out to vote at their local polling place the The 5th of August is the date by which Braille applications must be made, and also the date by which anyone who needs to update their enrolment details needs to do so with the Australian Electoral Commission. And then, as we go through the voting process, the 6th of August postal vote applications will open. And then on the 7th of September, early voting will commence. But you know, that's a lot of dates to remember. So I would suggest that for all voters preparing for voting at the election, go to our website, elections.nsw.gov.au . Our Local Government 2024 event page is now live and has all of those key dates listed. And it also outlines all of the processes by which people can vote. And as we get closer to the election, it will be where voters can find out information about their candidates and the venue information that I mentioned before.

Andrea, thank you so much for speaking to us. It's been a delight. We wish you well.

Andrea, thank you so much for speaking to us. It's been a delight. We wish you well.

Thank you very much for having me.

Thank you very much for having me.

Thats Andrea Summerell, who's the executive director for the Electoral Commission in New South Wales. Local government elections coming up very, very soon.

Thats Andrea Summerell, who's the executive director for the Electoral Commission in New South Wales. Local government elections coming up very, very soon.