Council Elections: plan to expand online voting as COVID-19 Delta variant grips NSW

The devastating COVID-19 Delta variant, wreaking havoc on NSW, could force online council elections to take place in September.

Fears the NSW Local Government Elections could be delayed for another year — due to the looming threat of the COVID-19 Delta variant — have been quelled with a plan to rollout the iVote online polling system to vulnerable people on election day.

NSW Government sources confirmed the September 4 elections, which were delayed last year, would go ahead despite fears an extended lockdown would wreak havoc on the postponed polling day.

Some voters may be able to elect their next councillor online through iVote in the September elections.

“The NSW Electoral Commissioner has been planning for COVID-safe elections and the Minister for Local Government has secured funding from Treasury to ensure all expenses related to COVID-safe elections will be met by the NSW Government, not individual councils,” the source said. “Also, iVote will be made available in September on the advice of the NSW Electoral Commissioner.”

A series of eligibility requirements are yet to be finalised for online voting, despite elections being just 67 days away.

Minister for Local Government Shelley Hancock. Picture: Christian Gilles / NCA NewsWire

Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne hit out at the lack of clarity around eligibility from the NSW Electoral Commission, telling NewsLocal the elections would either be undermined by voters unable to vote online, or being forced to place their health at risk by lining up on polling day.

“Given the election has already been delayed a year, it is beyond belief the government still doesn’t have a plan for how to allow people to vote safely when there has been an outbreak,” Cr Byrne said.

“The fact that there is no eligibility criteria for online voting yet means that the system could be overwhelmed — it could crash.

Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne. (AAP IMAGE MONIQUE HARMER)

“They need to have a plan ready in the next few days because voting is due to open in just a few weeks.”

Local Government NSW President Linda Scott said council across NSW would support an expansion of online voting.

“Councils fully support maximising the opportunity for every person to take part in the democratic process of local elections as well as keeping voters safe in a season of COVID uncertainty,” she said.

LGNSW President Linda Scott.

“We have consistently opposed any move to restrict the ways people can cast their votes. “Local government elections should be run in line with every other level of government election, including in-person voting options, to ensure a strong democratic process.”

She said LGNSW would examine the eligibility criteria for online voting.