Electoral Council of Australia

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Electoral Systems

 

New South Wales

Head of State
Governor
Leader of Government
Premier

Parliaments and Local Councils

Legislative Council

Legislative Assembly

Local Councils

Terms of Members of Parliament/ Council

Members elected for the duration of 2 Parliaments with 21 members retiring at elections held at the same time as general elections for the Legislative Assembly.

4-year. Fixed term with elections in March (last election March 2003)

4-years fixed term. The last election was held on March 2004 with subsequent elections to be held on the fourth Saturday in September every fourth year thereafter.

Number of Members

42 Members with the State serving as a single constituency.

93 elected from single-member electoral districts.

Approximately 1700 elected in the 170 council areas. Note that amalgamations have taken place in 2004 to reduce this number.

Electoral Legislation

Parliamentary Electorates and Elections Act 1912.
Constitution Act 1902

Same as Legislative Council

Local Government Act 1993

Voting Systems (definitions)

Proportional representation.
Partial Preferential

Optional Preferential.

Same as Legislative Assembly for mayoral and single casual vacancies. Same as Legislative Council for ordinary elections.

Enrolment and Voting Eligibility

Same as Commonwealth

 

Voting compulsory for electors who are enrolled for the State. Owners of property in Council areas other than their place of residence and occupiers of rate paying lessees may apply for non-resident enrolment.

Redistribution Provisions and Frequency

Parliamentary Electorates and Elections Act 1912.
Constitutional Act 1902. Conducted by "Electoral Districts Commission", Supreme Court Judge (current or retired), Surveyor General and Electoral Commissioner.

After 2 elections by law; 25% of seats outside quota.

Local Government Act 1993 by law.

Joint Rolls Arrangements between Commonwealth, States and Territories

Since 1927

 

Since 1996

Funding, Donations and Disclosure Provisions

Candidates elected and those who receive 4%of the vote receive funding. All candidates, groups and parties must declare contributions and expenditure.

 

Disclosure. No funding.

Interesting and Particular Features

How-to-vote cards distributed on election day must be registered.
Registration of parties.
Political Education Funding.

 

How-to-vote cards distributed on election day must be registered.
Issue of "Candidate Information Sheets".
Registration of Parties.

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