Be prepared for absent votes

Chief Executive Officers and staff are reminded that an elector can cast an absent vote for an in-person local election at any local government office up until 4.00pm on the fourth day before the relevant election day.

This means all local governments need to consider their arrangements to ensure trained staff are available to issue absent votes even if there is no election or poll being conducted in their district.

To cast an absent vote, the elector must complete Form 17 and then Form 11 from the Local Government (Elections) Regulations. The electoral officer must send the sealed ballot to the returning officer at the relevant local government so that it is received by 6.00pm on election day.

Further information can be found in chapter 12.6 of the Returning Officer Manual 2021 which is published by the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries.

Additional information and support for local governments is available on the department’s website.