By-election in August for Isaac Regional Council Division 6 councillor

Everything you need to know about the upcoming election, including how to apply and how to vote.

Electoral Commission of Queensland has revealed a by-election will be held on August 21 to fill the position of Isaac Regional Council Division 6 Councillor.

Isaac Regional Council is hosting two information sessions for prospective Division 6 candidates ahead of the by-election in August.

This comes after former councillor Lyn Jones sadly died on July 4, after a fierce battle with terminal cancer.

Electoral Commissioner of Queensland, Pat Vidgen, said the by-election was triggered when council’s CEO Gary Stevenson PSM requested the Electoral Commission of Queensland conduct an election to fill the Division 6 vacancy, which covers Clermont and surrounds.

“The vacancy will be filled in accordance with the Local Government Act through an attendance ballot, including three days of early voting, voting on election day, and postal voting,” he said.

Election day will be held on Saturday, August 21, with early voting at the Clermont Civic Centre from August 18 to 20.

Electors interested in applying for a postal vote can do so here, with ballot materials to be dispatched to registered postal voters following the ballot paper order draw and printing of ballot papers on August 2. Postal vote applications close at 7pm on August 9.

Former Isaac Regional Council Division 6 Councillor Lyn Jones.

Mr Vidgen said candidate nominations for the election had opened and closed at 12pm on Monday, August 2.

“Nomination forms are available on the ECQ website or from the Returning Officer, with a deposit of $250 to be paid at the time of nomination,” he said.

“Candidates have several legislated tasks to undertake and these take some time to complete, so anyone interested in nominating should to do so well before the deadline.

“The legislated tasks include opening a dedicated campaign bank account, preparing to declare their personal interests, and completing the free online training module available on the Department of State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning’s website.”

Council will also host two information sessions for prospective candidates that would like to know about the roles and responsibilities of representing Division 6 as an Isaac Region councillor.

Interested parties and community members have been invited to attend at the Clermont Council Boardroom, next to the Clermont Civic Centre, Daintree Street on Wednesday, July 28, with the first session at 4pm and the second at 6pm.

Mr Vidgen said there was still time for Isaac’s about 1300 Division 6 electors to check their enrolment details before the roll closed on July 29.

“Enrolling or checking your enrolment is easy online and only takes a few minutes,” he said.

“Voting is one of the most important civic duties we can undertake in a democracy, and I remind electors enrolling and voting is compulsory at all levels of government in Queensland.”

For all election information including voting information and nomination forms and requirements, go to ecq.qld.gov.au.