2024 Cairns council election: Where to vote, all the candidates

Wondering where and when to vote in the Cairns council election, or even what division you’re in? Here’s everything you need to know. FREE READ

The 2024 local government election is in full swing with election day on March 16.

The Cairns Post has covered the nine key issues ahead of the election, introduced the dozens of local candidates and been there for mayoral debates.

We’ve also run a poll revealing our readers’ choice for mayor.

But here is the nuts and bolts information you need to know ahead of casting your votes.

Voting in the local government elections has begun, with the Electoral Commission of Queensland opening three early voting centres in Cairns. Picture: Brendan Radke

Where and when can I vote?

On the election day, Saturday March 16, there will be plenty more places to vote.

A full list can be found below.

You can vote between 8am and 6pm on this day.

Postal voting for the 2024 local government elections has closed.

Cairns Regional Council is split into nine divisions. Picture: ECQ

Which division am I in?

Division 1: Southern part of Edmonton, Fitzroy Island, East Trinity, Gordonvale, Mirriwinni, Babinda, Bramston Beach and Eubanangee.

Division 2: Edmonton, Bentley Park and part of Mount Sheridan.

Division 3: Bayview Heights, Mount Sheridan (Forest Gardens), White Rock and Woree

Division 4: Earlville, Kanimbla, Mooroobool and parts of Manoora and Manunda

Division 5: Cairns city, Cairns North, Portsmith, Westcourt, Parramatta Park, Aeroglen, Bungalow, part of Manunda, and Green Island

Division 6: Brinsmead, Crystal Cascades, Kamerunga, Redlynch, Freshwater and Stratford

Division 7: Edge Hill, Whitfield and parts of Manoora, Manunda and Brinsmead

Division 8: Barron, Caravonica, Holloways Beach, Machans Beach, Smithfield, Yorkeys Knob and Trinity Park

Division 9: Trinity Beach, Clifton Beach, Kewarra Beach, Palm Cove, Ellis Beach and part of Trinity Park

If you’re still not sure you can search by address on the Electoral Commission Queensland website.

Cairns mayoral candidates for the 2024 Queensland Electoral Commission local government election Terry James, Leah Potter, Denis Walls, John Kelly, Paul Taylor, Binda Warren and Amy Eden take to the stage at the Cairns Chamber of Commerce's mayoral election debate lunch, held at the Pullman Reef Hotel Casino. Picture: Brendan Radke

Mayoral candidates

John Kelly, Binda (Warren) Vetters, Amy Eden (Team Eden), Leah Potter, Denis Walls (Community First), Paul Taylor, Terry James (Unity)

Read more about each mayoral candidate.

Council candidates

Click on the links below to learn more about the candidates in your division.

Division 1: Brett Moller (Unity)

Division 2: Patricia Courtenay (Community First), Nikki Giumelli (Unity), Matthew Tickner, Kesa Strieby (Team Eden), Steve Lippingwell, John Schilling

Division 3: Marisa Seden (Community First), Heidi Healy (Unity), Cathy Zeiger

Division 4: Trevor Tim (Team Eden), Shane Cuthbert, Cate Mahoney, Jeremy Neal (Unity)

Division 5: Rob Pyne, Birgit Machnitzke, James Coll, Nathan Lee Long (Unity), Emma Gelling (Team Eden)

Division 6: Shane Trimby (Team Eden), Nicole Sleeman (Community First), Alan Benn, Kristy Vallely (Unity)

Division 7: Ian Moller-Nielsen (Team Eden), Renee Lees (Community First), Anna Middleton, Matthew Calanna (Unity)

Division 8: Rhonda Coghlan (Unity), Hannah Boon, Jo Piggott (Team Eden), Phillip Musumeci (Community First)

Division 9: Brett Olds, Carine Visschers

Voting in the local government elections has begun, with the Electoral Commission of Queensland opening three early voting centres in Cairns. Picture: Brendan Radke

How do I vote?

You will need to fill in two ballot papers: one for your choice of mayor, and one for your preferred divisional candidate

Cairns Regional Council election has optional preferential voting, which means you have the choice to vote for one, some, or all candidates on the ballot paper.

You can number the candidates in order of preference (1 being your preferred candidate and so on) or you can simply choose to vote for just one candidate on each ballot paper.

What if I’m not enrolled to vote? Can I be fined if I don’t?

Voting in local government elections is compulsory and yes, you could be fined if you don’t.

Fines start at $154.80.

If you don’t vote, you may receive an ‘apparent failure to vote notice’ and you will have the chance to provide a valid reason for not voting.

If the fine is not paid, you may be referred to the State Penalties Enforcement Registry (SPER) and additional charges could apply.

You can enrol to vote or check your enrolment details on the Australian Electoral Commission website.

When will the results be announced?

Cairns Post journalists will be working through the weekend to publish results as they are counted.

If it’s close, the results may not be known until postal votes are counted, the last of which will be returned on March 26.

Originally published as 2024 Cairns council election: Where to vote, all the candidates