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People who live in or own property in the Liverpool local government area can choose who they want to be on their local council by voting in council elections.
The next local election will be held on 13 September 2008. Rolls close Monday 4 August 2008.
If you have any questions relating to the elections, please email elections@liverpool.nsw.gov.au.
For information on how elections are run, click on the following highlighted links:
For further information on this year's election visit the NSW Electoral Commissions website.
Council elections
The rules about how or when council elections should be held are made by the NSW State Government. In NSW, council elections are held every four years.
At these elections representatives from the Liverpool community can run for positions as Councillors or for Mayor.
If you are an Australian citizen, aged 18 year's and over and a resident, voting in Council elections is compulsory. You can also vote if you are a non-resident owner of rateable land; or
An occupier of rateable land who has legally enforceable right to continuous occupation of rateable land (jointly or severally, but not as an owner or ratepaying lessee) for no less than three years from the date on which the claim for enrolment is made; or
A ratepaying leasee of rateable land who is jointly or severally liable, under a lease in writing or other document of title relating to the land, to pay to any person the whole or any part of any rates that may, during the three years from the date on which the claim for enrolment is made, be made or levied in respect of the land.
Nominating a candidate/STANDING FOR ELECTION
The first stage of electing a new council is calling for nominations. The NSW State Government electoral office nominates a returning officer to run the election. This person usually tells people how to go about standing for the council by putting in advertisements in the public notices section of the local newspapers.
Anyone who is allowed to vote in the council election can stand for election. They must be nominated by at least two other people in the community. A person standing for election is called a candidate.
For more information about becoming a candidate read the Department of Local Government's So you're thinking of becoming a Local Government Councillor. Alternatively visit the Local Government and Shires Association website to order a free copy of their publication Becoming a Councillor.
The following Council documents provide useful information to prospective candidates:
The following websites are also useful resources for potential candidates:
Campaigning
In the next stage, campaigning, the candidates must "sell themselves" to the community. They try to convince the voters that they are the best people to represent them on the council.
The candidates explain to the voters what they would do if they were elected and how the community would benefit as a result. Candidates usually campaign through local newspaper articles and advertising, sending out pamphlets etc.
ROLLS OF ELECTORS
An election of the councillors/election of mayor for Liverpool City Council will be held on Saturday, 13 September 2008.
Non-residential Rolls
If you are an owner, rate-paying lessee or occupier of rateable land which is not your primary residence, you or a nominee may be entitled to be enrolled on the roll of non-residential owners of rateable land or the roll of occupiers and rate-paying lessees for this election.
Details of the eligibility criteria for a claim and enrolment claim forms may be obtained from Liverpool City Council office at 1 Hoxton Park Road, Liverpool, (phone: 1300 36 2170) (fax: 9821 9333) (website: www.liverpool.nsw.gov.au) or will be forwarded to you by the council upon request.
The claim must be completed and lodged with Phil Tolhurst, General Manager, on or before 6.00pm Monday, 4 August 2008.
If a claim for non-residential enrolment was made for a previous council election and you wish to claim enrolment for this election you must re-apply.
Residential Roll
All electors enrolled on the Commonwealth/State electoral roll as at Monday, 4 August 2008 residing in Liverpool City Council will be included on the roll for the election.
To check your enrolment details or to obtain a residential enrolment form visit www.elections.nsw.gov.au or call 1300 135 736. Residential enrolment forms are also available from any Australia Post office. Enrolment forms must be received by 6pm Monday, 4 August 2008.
Voting in Local Government elections is compulsory for all electors included on the residential roll.
Voting
Voting is how Liverpool residents can have a say in how our local area is run, what the future of the area will be and who will represent their views.
All residents must vote if they are 18 years or over, are an Australian citizen or have lived in the area for at least three months. Voting in NSW is compulsory and you may get fined if you do not vote.
People who own property in the area can vote if they live somewhere else, provided they tell the council in advance. Some people can vote in more than one council election if they are a resident in one council area and a property owner in another.
If you are a not resident of the Liverpool local government area, but own property in the area and would like to enrol to vote on 13 September 2008, you need to download and complete the following form on or before Monday 4 August 2008 - Claim for Inclusion in the Roll of Non-Residential Owners of Rateable Land or the Roll of Occupiers and Ratepaying Lessees.
A person can only be enrolled once in a local government area and therefore cannot be on the residential roll and also a non-residential roll. For more information visit www.elections.nsw.gov.au.
On election day, each voter goes to a polling place and is given a ballot paper listing the names of all the candidates in the election.
The voter must rank candidates according to order of preference. The voter puts a "1" next to the name of the candidate they most want to win: a "2" next to the candidate they want second and so on.
Counting the votes
When the pools close at 6pm on election day, the votes are counted to determine the new council. The results are formally announced by the returning officer and are published in the media.
Election of the Mayor
The Mayor of the City of Liverpool is voted into office by a popular vote of the community, separate to the election of Councillors but carried out at the same time. The Mayoral term is for 4 years, the same as the elected Councillors.
In some Councils the Mayor is nominated and voted in by the elected Council after the general election.
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