Voting in NSW local government election to be completed after chaotic lead up

Millions of voters are casting their ballots today in an election marred by a catastrophic bungle and a bombshell report. See where you can get your sausage sizzle.

Voters whose favourite part of casting their ballot is a sausage sizzle and a cake are in luck, because booths across New South Wales are chockers with grills, tongs and coffee stalls.

Democracysausage.org shows voting spots across the state have all the high cholesterol and homemade sweets you could ever want, as the public head to the polls to decide who will sit at their council tables.

“As someone who served in local government for over 30 years, I can attest that being a councillor is an honour that carries significant responsibility,” state Local Government Minister Ron Hoenig said.

Local Government Minister Ron Hoenig is telling NSW voters to make their ballots count. Picture: NewsWire / Nikki Short

“Councils invest more than $15bn each year delivering services and around $7bn on infrastructure and community facilities.

“We need to elect councillors who are competent and hardworking so make your vote today count.”

If you do not vote you will cop a please explain and a fine. But do not fret; instead get a frank - or a sausage sizzle, if you like.

Democracysausage.org shows plenty of voting places have a barbecue, cake stall, bacon and eggs, vegan food and coffee on offer.

New South Wales voters casting ballots in the council elections can checkout deomcracysausage.org to see where they can get their sausage sizzle. Picture: Supplied

Engadine Public School has a good election day complement. Picture: Supplied

Places such as Middle Harbour Public School in Mosman have sausages, cakes, bacon and eggs and savoury vegan options, as does Lapstone Public School out west.

On the harbour Nicholson Street Public School has a full complement of sausages, cakes, coffee, bacon and eggs and vegan options.

St Kierans Parish Centre in Manly Vale surely has a busy barista nearby its grillmasters and cake stalls.

Chaos and disaster

The New South Wales voters are heading to the polls as an election period marked by chaos and disaster comes to an end.

The NSW council elections have been marred by a “monumental stuff up” which saw 140 Liberal candidates across 16 councils miss out on nomination due to a shocking administrative error.

Voters at the polling booth at the National Centre of Indigenous Excellence for the NSW Local Government Election 2024. Picture: NewsWire / Simon Bullard

People were up early in Sydney ready to vote. Picture: NewsWire / Simon Bullard

News broke in early August the Liberal Party state executive had failed to lodge nominations on time, sparking a federal takeover of the NSW party branch and inciting fury from councillors now out of a job.

In Liverpool City, the council is on the brink of suspension after a damning report made allegations of bullying and inappropriate interference. A public inquiry is expected to begin after the election, with the newly elected council still facing the risk of being suspended while it is underway.

Millions will turn out to vote for their local councils on Saturday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Morgan Sette

In the Sutherland Shire, the current mayor, Carmelo Pesce, and deputy mayor Carol Provan were sensationally dumped from the Liberal Party ticket and will instead be running as independent candidates.

Neither candidate will be directing preferences to the Liberal Party, with Pesce to preference Labor candidate Jen Armstrong in his ward and Ms Provan to preference independent candidate Kal Galznig and then Labor in her ward.

In the Sydney CBD, Lord Mayor Clover Moore, 78, is eyeing off a record sixth term as an independent.

Lord Mayor of Sydney, Clover Moore, is fighting for a historic sixth term. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Flavio Brancaleone

Facing tough competition from both major parties, Moore told The Guardian: “They’re all desperate (to get control of the council). It’s the most desperate election so far.”

Elections have been axed entirely in 14 council areas due to a lack of candidates. These areas have been declared uncontested areas and candidates will be elected unopposed.

HOW TO VOTE

More than a million early voters had already cast their ballot, and 213,012 postal votes had been returned as of Friday morning.

Polling stations on Saturday will be open from 8am to 6pm.

Some councils will also be holding mayoral elections, constitutional referendums and/or polls

Unlike in other elections, voters must cast their ballot within their council area or ward.

Anyone planning to vote by post must have already received their voting pack and have been completed by 6pm on Saturday and received by the NSW Electoral Commission no later than 6pm on September 27.

Voters across NSW will head to the polls on Saturday. Picture: NSW Electoral Commission

DO I HAVE TO VOTE?

Like all elections in Australia, voting is compulsory.

If the NSW electoral commission determines you did not vote, you will receive a failure to vote notice in the mail within three months of election day.

You will have 28 days to provide a valid reason to be excused or to prove that you did vote.

The penalty for not voting is $55, which can quickly incur rapid increases if it is not paid within 28 days.

WHAT COUNCIL AM I IN?

The NSW electoral commission has a search tool to help voters check their council and specific ward.

The tool also provides a map of polling locations in your local area.

WILL THERE BE SAUSAGES?

As with all elections, the barbecues will be out in full force.

Democracy Sausage has a detailed map with the offerings available in your local area.

You can see that here.

A ‘democracy sausage’ is essential for any election day, and council elections are no different. Picture: Toby Zerna

Originally published as Voting in NSW local government election to be completed after chaotic lead up