Local government elections

The penalty for failing to vote is $55.

Electors who failed to vote on election day – 13 September 2008

Submission of excuses for failing to vote at the September 13, 2008 Local Government Elections is now closed and we will be issuing penalty notices shortly. These will be mailed in early December. You must reply within 28 days of the issue date of the notice.

Electors who are absent from their area for the upcoming By-elections – 29 November 2008

If you are absent from your local area for the upcoming By-elections, you can be excused for failing to vote.  A relative may lodge an excuse form on your behalf, if you are not able to do so yourself.

Request for Exclusion of Self or Relative from Voting in a Local Government By-Election Form
(PDF)[32kb]

Please fax the form to us on (02) 9290 5991 before 12 December 2008.  If the form is not received by us by this date, you will be issued with a penalty notice with payment options.

Alternatively you may call us on 1300 135 736.

Penalty notices

We are required by law to issue a penalty notice to an elector, who appears to have failed to vote at a  local government election or By-election.
The notice is sent to the elector‘s enrolled address as at the time of the close of rolls for that election. The notice gives options to:

• provide a claim that you voted and details of where you voted
• give a reason in writing for not voting
• pay the penalty
• apply to have the matter heard in court.

You must reply within 28 days of the issue date of the notice.

State Debt Recovery Action

Should the matter not be settled within 28 days of the penalty notice, enforcement action may be taken. The State Debt Recovery Office may issue a penalty notice enforcement order under the Fines Act 1996 No 99. This may lead to the non-renewal of your driver’s licence.