State election 2023: Lismore ballot drawn

The order in which candidates will appear on your voting paper for Lismore at this year’s state election has been revealed. Here’s who put their hand up.

Nationals Candidate for the seat of Lismore Alex Rubin giving the ballot box a lucky shake.

The ballot for the seat of Lismore in this year’s state election has been drawn after last year’s catastrophic floods washed away some popular polling locations.

The ballot draw was held on Thursday morning to decide the order candidates will appear on voting papers come March 25.

Nominations for election closed at midday on Wednesday and eight candidates tossed their hats in the ring. Only Adam Guise and Alex Rubin attended the draw.

Election manager for Lismore John Arthur put the names of the candidates into the ballot box, a blue cooler bag, and shook it up before drawing

Nationals candidate Alex Rubin and Janelle Saffin’s representative Harry Gregg gave the ballot box a shake for good luck.

Janelle Saffin's campaign organiser Harry Gregg shaking the ballot box.

The ballot draw result is: (1) Matthew Bertolli – Fishers and Farmers, (2) Janelle Saffin – Labor, (3) James McKenzie – Independent, (4) Allen Crosthwaite – Independent, (5) Vanessa Rosayro – Animal Justice Party, (6) Ross Honniball – Sustainable Australia Party, (7) Adam Guise – Greens, (8) Alex Rubin – The Nationals.

Ms Saffin, the sitting MP, is from Boat Harbour, Mr McKenzie is from Eungella, Mr Crosthwaite is from Tenterfield, Ms Rosayro is from Lismore Heights and Mr Honniball is from Goonellabah. Mr Guise is from North Lismore and Mr Rubin is from Tenterfield.

Adam Guise speaking at a protest. Picture: Cath Piltz

Meanwhile, two popualr voting venues in Lismore, St Paul‘s Presbyterian Church on Keen St and Trinity Catholic College on Military Rd, will not be inviting voters this year.

Lismore election manager John Arthur said damage from the floods made it difficult to secure venues, but it was always tough to lock in a suitable spot.

“It happens every election ... somebody has already booked it out for a wedding reception and we have to go somewhere else,” he said.

“You always do get the occasional venue change, but this time because of the floods there has been a lot more movement.

“The trouble is there’s nowhere you can hire (at the moment) because most places are still washed out.”

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

Alison Waters, Animal Justice Party candidate, and Naomi Woodgate, party member, at the ballot draw in Lismore on Thursday.

However, the Murwillumbah pre-poll station will only be open from March 20 because of a venue issue.

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

Ms Saffin was elected in 2019 with a margin of two per cent.