FAQ
1. What is a Postal Ballot?
A postal ballot is when voting materials are mailed to you to complete and return by post. This can only occur if you are a registered special Postal Voter, you apply for a postal vote after the election is officially called or if the election in your local government area is a full postal vote.
2. What is attendance voting?
Attendance voting is when you cast your vote in person at a polling booth on election day or during the pre-poll period. At an attendance election other voting options are also available for people who can’t vote in person. Anyone can apply for a postal ballot, and telephone voting is usually available for people who live more than 20kms from a polling booth or have an impairment.
3. Who will be consulted about the potential Postal Ballot?
All residents who are enrolled to vote within the Whitsunday Regional Council area will be consulted, with options to have your say online and in person throughout the consultation period.
4. Who will be affected by a potential Postal Ballot?
All residents who are enrolled to vote within the Whitsunday Regional Council area may be affected, depending on the outcome of the consultation, Council’s application and the Minister for Local Government’s decision on whether to approve a full postal ballot.
5. When is the next local government election?
The next local government election is due to be held on 28 March 2020.
Council needs to apply for a postal ballot to the Minister for Local Government, if required, before 1 July 2019.
6. Can Council choose to have a combination of postal voting and polling booth?
Yes, Council can request to have a hybrid option within the Whitsunday region, by only applying for a postal ballot in particular area/s or division/s within the region.
7. When is the consultation period?
The public consultation period will be open from Wednesday 1 May to Friday 31 May 2019 for a period of four (4) weeks.
8. How can I give my feedback to Council?
You can visit our online engagement space Your Say Whitsunday to find out more about the consultation process and submit your feedback online. You can complete the Quick Poll and submit any further suggestions or comments in the online Feedback Form.
You can also visit any of the advertised Public Displays in Bowen, Cannonvale, Collinsville, Dingo Beach and Proserpine to speak with a Council officer and submit your feedback in person. Dates, times and locations are available on the website.
You can also visit our Council Customer Service Centres in Bowen, Cannonvale, Collinsville or Proserpine and complete a feedback form at the counter.
9. Does this consultation have any impact on the upcoming Federal election?
No. This consultation process only refers to the local government election next March 2020. Councils can choose to apply for a full or partial postal ballot for their local government areas.
To check your enrolment details for the upcoming Federal election on 18 May 2019, visit the Australian Electoral Commission’s website - https://check.aec.gov.au/
10. How can I check if I’m enrolled to vote?
To check your enrolment details, or to enrol to vote for the first time, visit the Australian Electoral Commission’s website - https://check.aec.gov.au/
11. Where can I find further information?
For more information about the consultation process, please visit Council’s online engagement space Your Say Whitsunday – http://yoursay.whitsundayrc.qld.gov.au
To find out more about voting please visit the Electoral Commission of Queensland website - https://www.ecq.qld.gov.au/home