State elections
New South Wales is governed according to The Constitution Act 1902.
State elections are held every four years. An election is held to elect the members of the Legislative Assembly and half the members of the Legislative Council. Only if the Governor dissolves parliament can an election be held before the four year term is complete.
It is compulsory to vote in an election if you are on the electoral roll. Each elector votes for one candidate to represent his/her electoral district in the Legislative Assembly and for all the candidates they wish to represent the state in the Legislative Council.
The rules for the election for members of the Legislative Assembly and the Legislative Council are contained in The Constitution Act 1902 and the Parliamentary Electorates and Elections Act 1912.
The New South Wales Parliamentary website provides helpful information on the structure of government.