‘Extremely disappointing’: Poor voter turnout sees hundreds of Fannie Bay residents fined

About one-third of voters failed to show up at the polls for a recent Territory government by-election, seeing more than 1500 fined. Here’s what will happen if locals don’t pay the piper.

More than 1500 Fannie Bay voters are being hit with fines following an “extremely disappointing” voter turnout in the recent by-election.

The Northern Territory Electoral Commission has issued $25 infringement notices to 1542 electors.

NT Electoral Commissioner Iain Loganathan said the turnout on 20 August was “extremely disappointing” with less than two-thirds of voters turning up at polling booths.

“As an urban division a much higher turnout was expected for the division of Fannie Bay” Mr Loganathan said.

Only 63 per cent of residents cast a vote in the electorate, which includes Fannie Bay, Ludmilla, Parap, The Gardens and East Point.

The ALP retained the seat of Fannie Bay after Brent Potter won the by-election. Mr Potter celebrated the victory with current chief minister Natasha Fyles and wife Alexandra. Picture: Glenn Campbell

That figure falls behind the 66.3 per cent turnout in the 2021 Daly by-election covering several remote communities including Timber Creek, Pine Creek and Wadeye.

Residents who failed to vote in the Fannie Bay by-election and do not have a “sufficient reason” as to why will be due to cough up the $25 fee by October 13.

If the fee is not paid, the NT Electoral Commission says it may refer the matter to court.

Territory Labor’s Brent Potter made a narrow victory of just 148 votes in the by-election’s two party preferred stakes.

He now fills the seat once occupied by former chief minister Michael Gunner.

The seat’s only other two former members, Marshall Perron and Clare Martin, also went on to become chief minsters.