Full guide to voting at Lismore in the 2023 NSW state election

With the state election just days away, here’s everything you need to know about casting a vote in the seat of Lismore.

Lismore on March 31 last year. The floods will be front of mind for voters. Picture: Dan Peled/Getty Images

Lismore has historically been a Nationals seat – until Labour unseated the Akubra-toting conservatives at the 2019 state election.

The 2022 floods have devastated the electorate and will be top of mind as voters hit the polling booths.

It is unclear if population displacement due to last year's floods will affect the outcome of the election. A redistribution saw an increase in about 1000 constituents as some of Ballina’s electorate was absorbed.

MEET THE STATE ELECTION CANDIDATES FOR LISMORE

The government's response to the post-flood housing crisis is a major source of frustration for voters on the flood plain, and will likely be reflected in the vote.

Sitting Lismore MP Janelle Saffin and Greens candidate Adam Guise.

Most of the candidates have been impacted by the floods, assisted those in need or have otherwise been touched by the record natural disasters.

Janelle Saffin MP and Greens candidate Adam Guise were caught in the floods and have used their offices as a state MP and city councillor, respectively, to visibly advocate for the community.

Candidate for the Nationals Alex Rubin co-ordinated the Army’s rescue efforts alongside the tinny brigade while he was a major in the Army. He has since left the armed forces to contest the election.

Nationals candidate Alex Rubin.

Vanessa Rosayro, Animal Justice Party candidate, said has been working in flood recovery to assist vulnerable women and children.

In total, yhere are eight candidates throwing their hats in the ring for the seat of Lismore in the election on March 25.

We put a series of questions to the candidates – see what they stand for here.

The last election

Janelle Saffin MP unseated the Nationals at the 2019 election – becoming the first Labor and female MP to represent the region.

The seat was held for decades by the Nationals, which entered the 2019 state election holding the seat by a narrow margin of 0.2 per cent.

Former Federal MP for Page Ms Saffin took power with 51.3 per cent of the vote compared to 48.7 per cent for Nationals’ candidate Austin Curtin.

Lismore during the floods.

Greens candidate Sue Higginson came in third, with Greens preferences flowing to Labor to oust the Nationals.

The seat was previously held by Thomas George, now retired.

Nuts and Bolts

The Legislative Assembly District of Lismore includes 57,928 electors and covers more than 13,200 sqkm.

The electorate includes Lismore City Council, Kyogle Shire and Murwillumbah and the western parts of Tweed Shire.

Historically, it was a Far North Coast electorate covering Lismore, but redistribution extended the electorate’s boundaries west to include Tenterfield Shire.

Where to vote

Pre-polling opened on March 18, with the state government deciding to give voters just one week to vote before the official election day on March 25.

Early voting can be undertaken at Lismore Early Voting Centre, Goonellabah Community Centre, Kyogle Memorial Hall and Murwillumbah Civic and Cultural Centre.

Here’s where you can vote on election day:

Lismore

Lismore High School, Dalley Street, Lismore.

Lismore Public School, Magellan Street, Lismore.

Lismore Heights Public School, 195 High Street, Lismore Heights.

Lismore South Public School, Wilson Street, South Lismore.

Lismore Showgrounds, 116 Alexandra Parade, North Lismore.

Goonellabah Public School, 595 Ballina Road, Goonellabah.

Vanessa Rosayro, Animal Justice Party candidate for the seat of Lismore.

Bexhill & Clunes

Bexhill Public School, 12 Withers Street, Bexhill. Clunes Public School, Walker Street, Clunes.

Eltham Public School, Boatharbour Road. South of Lismore

Wyrallah Public School, Breckenridge Street, Wyrallah.

Tregeagle Public School, Tregeagle Road, Tregeagle.

Caniaba Public School, 387 Caniaba Road, Caniaba.

Ross Honniball, Sustainable Australia Party candidate for Lismore.

Nimbin and surrounds north of Lismore

Nimbin Central School, 23A Thorburn Street, Nimbin.

Goolmangar School Of Arts Hall, Nimbin Road, Goolmangar.

Modanville Public School 877 Dunoon Road, Modanville.

Federal Hall, Federal Road Federal.

Rosebank Public School, Tindall Road, Rosebank.

Dunoon Public School, James Street, Dunoon.

The Channon Hall, Mill Street, The Channon.

Jiggi Public School, 1093 Jiggi Road, Jiggi.

Wilsons Creek Hall, Wilsons Creek Road, Wilsons Creek.

Sitting MP Janelle Saffin. Picture: Cath Piltz

Murwillumbah and the far north of electorate

St Josephs Primary School South Murwillumbah, 3 Greville Street, South Murwillumbah.

Murwillumbah Civic and Cultural Centre, Tumbulgum Road, Murwillumbah.

Wollumbin High School, 94 North Arm Road, Murwillumbah.

Tyalgum Community Hall, 1 Cudrigan St, Tyalgum.

Chillingham Public School, 1420 Numinbah Road, Chillingham.

Crystal Creek Public School, 321 Numinbah Road, Crystal Creek.

Dungay Public School, 305 Tomewin Road, Dungay.

Independent candidate for Lismore. James McKenzie.

Other booths

Tenterfield and District Soldiers Memorial Hall, 96 Molesworth Street, Tenterfield.

Tabulam Public School, Clarence Street, Tabulam.

Cawongla preschool, 5325 Kyogle Road, Cawongla.

Mallanganee Memorial Hall, 5 Bonalbo Street, Mallanganee.

Wiangaree Hall, Summerland Way, Wiangaree.

Jubullum Community Hall, Jubullum Village, Jubullum.

Bonalbo District Community Hall, 4 Koreelah Street, Bonalbo.

Liston Hall, Stanthorpe Street, Liston. Legume Hall, Mount Lindesay Road, Legume.

Urbenville Public School, Welch Street, Urbenville.

Woodenbong Public Hall, 21 Unumgar Street, Woodenbong.

Candidate for the Nationals Alex Rubin.

It’s your move

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

Nationals candidate for the seat of Lismore Alex Rubin of Tenterfield gives the ballot box a lucky shake.

March 8: Close of nominations.

10am, March 9: Announcement of candidates and ballot draw at Carrington St in Lismore (the order in which they will appear on your voting paper). See how the draw unfolded.

March 18: Early voting opens.

6pm, March 20: Postal vote applications close.

8am-6pm: Election day.

6pm, April 6: 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.