Full guide to voting at Clarence in the 2023 NSW state election
With the state election fast approaching, here’s everything you need to know about casting a vote in the seat of Clarence.
Grafton
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The seat of Clarence has been dominated by the Nationals for the majority of the past century – having been held by the same party for all but seven years since 1927.
Chris Gulaptis has held the seat since 2011, but will step down to make way for a new face.
The last time Clarence was held by anyone other than a Nationals candidate was in 1996, when Labor’s Harry Woods lost the seat.
Mr Woods held the seat for seven years before Steve Cansdell (Nationals) took the helm.
It’s been a Nationals stronghold ever since.
Former Clarence MP Matt Singleton won the 1971 vote and went on to serve as the first member for Coffs Harbour from 1981 to 1990.
The Clarence seat includes all of the Clarence Valley LGA, including Grafton, Yamba, Maclean, Illuka, Junction Hill, Ulmarra, Coutts Crossing and Glenreagh.
It also covers parts of Richmond Valley LGA including Casino, Coraki, Woodburn, Evans Head and Tatham.
As of 2019, the seat covers over 56,000 electors occupying 13,494 km.
Richie Williamson is favourite to hold the Nationals seat as Mr Gulaptis’ successor heading to the polls on March 25.
The last state election
Chris Gulaptis of the Nationals secured 22,965 first preference votes (46.53 per cent). The next biggest vote was the NSW Labor Party’s Trent Gilbert with 10,342 primary votes (20.95 per cent).
After distribution of preferences, Mr Gulatpis was elected with 64.47 per cent of the vote compared to Labor’s Trent Gilbert on 35.53 per cent.
In total, 51,012 votes were cast for the seat of Clarence.
Come the election March 25, the community will choose from seven candidates. You can find out more about them here.
Where to vote:
Dundurrabin Public School
70 Mount Street, Dundurrabin NSW 2453
Glenreagh School of Arts Hall
62 Coramba Street, Glenreagh NSW 2450
Wooli Public Hall
Main Street, Wooli NSW 2462
Coutts Crossing Coronation Hall
7 Armidale Road, Coutts Crossing NSW 2460
St Josephs Primary School South Grafton
Hyde St, South Grafton NSW 2460
South Grafton Public School
Vere Street, South Grafton NSW 2460
St Stephens Presbyterian Hall South Grafton
Beatson Street, South Grafton NSW 2460
Christ Church Cathedral Grafton
8 Duke Street, Grafton NSW 2460
Grafton High School
Fry Street, Grafton NSW 2460
Grafton High School
Fry Street, Grafton NSW 2460
Joan Muir Community Centre
194 Turf Street, Grafton NSW 2460
Grafton Art Club Centre
365 Dobie Street, Grafton NSW 2460
Junction Hill SES Building
Pine Street, Junction Hill NSW 2460
Ulmarra Public School
2476 Big River Way, Ulmarra NSW 2462
Tucabia Community Hall
Clarence Street, Tucabia NSW 2462
Brooms Head Community Hall
Ocean Road, Brooms Head NSW 2463
Copmanhurst & District War Memorial Hall
61 Grafton Street, Copmanhurst NSW 2460
Baryulgil Public School
7135 Clarence Way, Baryulgil NSW 2460
Rappville Public School
Lyons Street, Rappville NSW 2469
Fairy Hill Public Hall
11560 Summerland Way, Fairy Hill NSW 2470
Casino West Public School
84a Hotham Street, Casino NSW 2470
McAuliffe School of Dance Casino
76 Centre Street, Casino NSW 2470
Casino Christian School
93 Manifold Road, Casino North NSW 2470
Casino Community and Cultural Centre
35 Walker Street, Casino NSW 2470
Clovass-McKees Hill Hall
Bruxner Highway, McKees Hill NSW 2480
Woodburn Public School
20-32 Woodburn Street, Woodburn NSW 2472
Evans River Community School
Cypress Street, Evans Head NSW 2473
Broadwater Community Hall
Little Pitt Street, Broadwater NSW 2472
Woombah Bush Fire Brigade Building
Iluka Road, Woombah NSW 2469
Chatsworth Island Hall
17 Chatsworth Road, Chatsworth NSW 2469
Harwood Island Public School
Morpeth Street, Harwood Island NSW 2465
Maclean Civic Hall
48 River Street, Maclean NSW 2463
Maclean Public School
25 Woodford Street, Maclean NSW 2463
Harwood Island Public School
Morpeth Street, Harwood Island NSW 2465
Palmers Island Public School
School Road, Palmers Island NSW 2463
Yamba TAFE Connected Learning Centre
24 Treelands Drive, Yamba NSW 2464
Yamba Public School
39 Angourie Road, Yamba NSW 2464
Iluka Community Hall
Spencer Street, Iluka NSW 2466
Gulmarrad Public School
466 Brooms Head Road, Gulmarrad NSW 2463
Lawrence Public School
64-70 High Street, Lawrence NSW 2460
Cowper Public School
Clarence Street, Cowper NSW 2460
Ulmarra Public School
2476 Big River Way, Ulmarra NSW 2462
Tucabia Community Hall
Clarence Street, Tucabia NSW 2462
Early voting centres:
Christ Church Cathedral Grafton
8 Duke Street, Grafton NSW 2460 Opening Hours:
Accessibility: Assisted access, no accessible toilet, no designated accessible parking spot
Sat 18 Mar – Fri 24 Mar 2023 Mon – Wed: 8:30am – 5:30pm
Thu: 8:30am – 8:00pm
Fri: 8:30am – 6:00pm
Sat: 9:00am – 6:00pm
Maclean Civic Hall
48 River Street, Maclean NSW 2463
Accessibility: Fully wheelchair accessible
Opening Hours:
Sat 18 Mar – Fri 24 Mar 2023
Mon – Wed: 8:30am – 5:30pm
Thu: 8:30am – 8:00pm
Fri: 8:30am – 6:00pm
Sat: 9:00am – 6:00pm
Casino Community and Cultural Centre
35 Walker Street, Casino NSW 2470
Accessibility: Fully wheelchair accessible
Opening Hours:
Sat 18 Mar – Fri 24 Mar 2023
Mon – Wed: 8:30am – 5:30pm
Thu: 8:30am – 8:00pm
Fri: 8:30am – 6:00pm
Sat: 9:00am – 6:00pm
It’s on you
If you’re eligible to vote, it’s compulsory to do so in NSW. If you don’t have a valid reason for failing to vote you can be fined $55.
Key moments for 2023
March 8: Close of nominations.
March 9, 10am: Announcement of candidates and ballot draw (the order in which they will appear on your voting paper). See how the draw unfolded.
March 18: Early voting opens.
March 20, 6pm: Postal vote applications close.
March 25, 8am-6pm: Election day.
April 6, 6pm: Receipt of postal votes closes.
April 14: Estimated completion of Legislative Assembly (lower house) declaration of results.
April 20: Estimated completion of Legislative Council (upper house – senate) declaration of results.
Big picture
NSW is divided into 93 state electoral districts.
Voters in each patch will elect one person to represent their district in the Legislative Assembly. Voters will also elect 21 of the 42 members of the Legislative Council.
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