Council elections are now set for 4 December 2021.

Polling stations will be at Barellan Central School, John O’Brien Hall and Narrandera High School.

Pre-polling is available for those eligible at Narrandera Emergency Operations Centre from Monday 22 November.
 
The NSW Government announced the decision has been made after extensive consultation with and on advice from the NSW Electoral Commission and NSW Health in regard to the COVID-19 situation.
  
In particular: 

• Current councillors and popularly elected mayors will continue to hold their civic offices until council elections are held on 4 December 2021.
• Councils will not be required to hold by-elections to fill vacancies or to apply to the Minister to dispense with the requirement to hold a by-election before ordinary council elections are held on 4 December 2021.
• Mayoral elections must be held for mayors elected in September 2019 when their two year-terms expire in September 2021.
• Mayors elected in September 2020 will continue to hold office until council elections are held on 4 December 2021.
• Chairpersons of county councils now hold office for two years. Chairpersons of county councils elected in September 2020 will continue to hold office until council elections are held on 4 December 2021.
• The composition of joint organisation boards may need to change in September 2021 if mayors of member councils elected by councillors are not re-elected.
• The postponement of the next ordinary local government elections will not affect the timing of future council elections, and the subsequent ordinary local government elections will still proceed in September 2024.

An Order setting the new election date has been published in the Government Gazette.
 
More information, including a frequently asked questions document, will be available on the OLG website this week.

Important dates:  
25 Oct 2021    Close of electoral rolls (6pm) / Candidate nominations open
03 Nov 2021   Close of candidate nominations (12pm) / Registration of electoral materials commences
05 Nov 2021   Caretaker period commences
22 Nov 2021   Pre-poll voting opens
26 Nov 2021   Registration of electoral material closes (5pm)
27 Nov 2021   Declared institution voting commences
29 Nov 2021   Postal vote applications close (5pm)
03 Dec 2021   Declared institution voting closes (6pm) / Pre-poll voting closes (6pm)
04 Dec 2021   Election day (8am-6pm)
17 Dec 2021   Return of postal votes closes (6pm)
21 – 23 Dec 2021 Results declared progressively as counts are finalised by election manager
 
If you have any questions about the topics covered in this email, please see https://www.olg.nsw.gov.au/programs-and-initiatives/local-government-elections-4-december-2021/