Rodney Stevens
Voting in compulsory in the 2024 NSW Local Government Elections for everyone aged 18 and over, making it crucial that you make your vote count to elect the candidates you want as Clarence Valley Councillors for the next four years.
Early voting kicked off on Saturday, September 7, and continues all this week for people unable to get to a polling booth in their local area next Saturday, September 14.
17 candidates have nominated for election to nine Councillor positions, with a mix of current Councillors, new faces, and the return of a previous Councillor, a former General Manager and a former CVC Director.
Current Councillors Greg Clancy, Peter Johnstone, Debra Novak, Steve Pickering, Karen Toms, and Allison Whaites are all vying to be re-elected, and former Clarence Valley Councillor Andrew Baker has nominated.
Both former General Manger Ray Smith and former Clarece Valley Council Director, Des Schroder have extensive local government knowledge and experience.
Lynne Cairns, Cristie Yager, Melissa Hellwig, Ray Smith, Shane Causley, Amanda Brien, Phillip Provest, James Allan, and Justin James are all passionate about the local community.
To ensure your vote is formal and counted in the final tally, you must nominate at least your first five candidates out of 17, or number all boxes from one to 17.
“Donkey” votes, where someone writes a message on the ballot paper and doesn’t correctly number the candidate are declared informal and are not included in the tally for any candidate – so make sure you vote correctly to make your vote count.
The new Clarence Valley Mayor will be voted on by the nine councillors who are elected at the first meeting of the new Council.
There is no absentee voting available at NSW council elections.
You must vote at a venue in your enrolled council area, you cannot vote at a polling booth in another area.
If you don’t vote in an election, you were eligible for in NSW, and you don’t have a valid reason, you will be sent an ‘Apparent failure to vote notice’ in the post.
The penalty for not voting in NSW is a $55 fine.
You must respond within 28 days of the issue date of the notice.
For more information on voting in the 2024 Local Government Election visit https://elections.nsw.gov.au/faqs/voter-faqs