Free read: Ultimate guide to Livingstone Shire Council election
Welcome to your ultimate guide to the 2024 Local Government Elections in Livingstone, the candidates, where to vote, how to vote and pre-polling information.
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Welcome to your free guide to the 2024 Livingstone Local Government Election.
This guide will contain the candidates, where to vote, how to vote and pre-polling information - as well as where to vote on the day.
Queenslanders will head to the polls on March 16 to decide on the make-up of their local councils for the next four years.
In Australia, voting is not only a right and a responsibility, but it is compulsory for eligible Australian citizens over 18.
If you don’t vote, you could be fined, with fines starting at $66.
PRE-POLLING AND VOTING
Early voting for this year’s local government elections began on March 4 and will run until March 15 (excluding weekends).
During early voting polling booth opening times will vary depending on location.
Election day will be on Saturday, March 16 with booths opening from 8am until 6pm.
Where to vote on election day:
CAWARRAL
Cawarral State School, 125 Annie Drive
EMU PARK
Emu Park Cultural Hall, 9 Hill Street
FARNBOROUGH
Farnborough State School Hall, 8 Hinz Avenue
KEPPEL SANDS
Keppel Sands State School, 1325 Keppel Sands Road
LAKES CREEK
Lakes Creek State SchooL, 445 Paterson Street
PARKHURST
Department of Agriculture and Fisheries Conference Centre, 25 Yeppoon Road
TARANGANBA
Taranganba State School, Taranganba Road
YEPPOON
Yeppoon State High School - Evacuation Centre, Rawlings Street
Early voting is at Yeppoon Town Hall from 9am - 5pm Monday to Friday up until March 15.
You can also submit a postal vote, but you have to apply and votes can only be submitted before 6pm on election day.
Postal votes are required to be returned by Tuesday March 26.
Postal votes must be received by the Electoral Commission Queensland within 10 days after election day to be included in the count, if a vote is received after the deadline, it won’t be counted.
The ideal first step for voting in the local elections is to enrol to vote, check your enrolment or update your details on the Australian Electoral Commission website.
If you recently moved house, or have updated other key details it is best to update your enrolment information before the election.
It is compulsory to enrol in council, state and federal government elections if you are an Australian citizen or eligible British subject; are aged 18 years or over; have lived at your address for at least one month.
Special enrolment categories are available for people with specific needs including those who have no fixed address or are an Australian citizen living and working overseas.
For detailed information about the special enrolment options available to you go to the AEC website.
HOW TO VOTE
Once you’re sure your enrollment information is accurate and up-to-date you need to find out the list of candidates (see below).
For more election facts, head to the AEC website to find out more on common misinformation, frequently asked questions and background data.
ELECTION DAY
Once you have confirmed your electoral information is up-to-date, you’ve done your research on candidates and confirmed your closest polling booth you’re ready to head to the polls on March 16.
When you arrive at a polling booth, head to the issuing officer table where an election official will verify your identity before giving you your ballot paper.
You may be required to confirm your address, so make sure your information is current with the Australian Electoral Commission when doing so.
After that, you’ll be directed to a voting booth where you can cast your ballot in private, take your time and make sure to read the information provided on the ballot slip.
Place your completed ballot paper/s in the ballot box as you leave. Polling officials will be available to provide assistance should you have any questions.
CANDIDATES
Mayor (find out all about the candidates for mayor)
Adam Belot
Andrew Ireland (current mayor)
Grantley Douglas Jack
Kelvin Appleton
Councillors (find out all about the candidates)
Kristan Casuscelli
Glenda Mather
Rhodes Watson
Clint Swadling
Wade Rothery
Trish Bowman
Paul Mitchell
Jillian Neyland
Helen Schweikert
Lance Warcon
Brett Svendsen
Andrea Friend
Pat Eastwood
Mike Decman
Cameron Kinsey
Bill Ludwig
WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU DO NOT VOTE
After an election, records are checked and if it appears you have not voted you may receive an apparent failure to vote notice.
This notice will provide you with an opportunity to say if you did or didn’t vote, or why you didn’t vote.
If you receive the notice you can provide your valid reasoning for not casting a vote, confirm that you did cast a vote by providing the appropriate details or pay a fine of one penalty unit at the time of the offence, or half this amount if the fine is paid before the due date.
If you don’t respond to the apparent failure to vote notice, you are likely to receive an infringement notice, which is the fine for not voting.
If the fine is not paid, you may be referred to the State Penalties Enforcement Registry (SPER) for further action and additional charges may apply.
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