Thursday 17 January 2008

Polling stations for Cairns

The new Isaac Regional Council, in the Whitsunday area, is up in arms that they will be voting via a postal vote at the upcoming local body elections.

They are one of 28 local Government areas using the postal voting system from a total of 73.

However in Cairns, polling centres will operate throughout the region on the March 15th elections.

Voting in Local Government elections is compulsory and fines for not returning postal votes or attending a polling station, can be enforced.

Here's an extract from The Whitsunday Times...

  • A spokesperson for Local Government Minister, Warren Pitt, said the decision to have postal voting only was made following consultation between the Department of Local Government and the Queensland Electoral Commission. The spokesperson said the decision was endorsed by the Governor-in-Council in November.

    "Postal voting is more convenient for residents and more cost-effective for councils with large rural areas," the spokesperson said.

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