We have a Glenorchy City Council by-election coming soon to elect a new mayor after Kristie Johnston’s election to the seat of Clark in Tasmania’s House of Assembly.
The last Council election at the end of 2017 was an aberration. Kristie’s Team appeared as an apparently ideal solution to a Council that was not working well. The honeymoon period for the team is well and truly over and no vote-magnet has appeared to replace Kristie. This means that the field is now wide open.
Every vote will count – so make sure you do.
The election is done by post. If you’re on the electoral roll, you will receive your voting papers in the mail sometime after June 22.
But you must be on the roll. And you have until 6pm on Thursday June 10 to make sure you are.
As a general rule, if you live in Glenorchy and are over the age of 18, you are eligible to vote. If you’re already enrolled to vote in the State seat of Clark then you’re automatically enrolled to vote in Glenorchy council elections.
But some people can vote for Council even though they can’t vote in Clark.
For example, you don’t have to be an Australian citizen to vote for Council. They must apply directly to the Council to get on the roll. Use this link to get the application form.
Voting at council elections is not compulsory.
But elections are done by post – so all you have to do is number boxes, put the voting slip in the envelope that comes with it, then post it. Seriously, how hard is that?
The law doesn’t say you MUST vote – but you should anyway.
Glenorchy City Observer 
Hi Eddy
Part of your post:
As a general rule, if you live in Glenorchy and are over the age of 18, you are eligible to vote. If you’re already enrolled to vote in the State seat of Clark then you’re automatically enrolled to vote in Glenorchy council elections.
Because we have been voting for many, many years, I confess I might not be up to scratch on all the now current rules – but – I thought you had to be a ratepayer to vote, i.e. because say our son and daughter can vote (they are ratepayers) I didn’t think their two over 18 year olds could also vote??
Could you clarify please.
Regards
Kaye Smith
Hello Kaye.
If you look at the general page on the Council website about elections ( https://www.gcc.tas.gov.au/council/elected-members/councils-elections/ ) you will see the comment: “You can vote if you are on the State Electoral Roll and are a resident in the municipality (you do not have to own a property).”
I’ve assumed this means that you do not have to be paying rates to vote for Council.
I guess that the “two over 18 year olds” you mentioned are therefore eligible to vote provided they live in Glenorchy.
If you are still not convinced, I suggest you contact Council directly. Please let me know if I’ve misled you. I’m a bit obsessive about getting the facts right.
Cheers.
Thanks Eddy I’ll double check and get back to you. I know there is something like the GM ‘s list but one had to apply to be on that i think.
Kaye
I’m going by what Jan Dunsby told me. Check with her for clarification. It’s confusing. Sent from my Galaxy
Hello again Kaye.
With all due respect to Jan Dunsby, I think I would take the Tasmanian Electoral Commission as the authoritative source. Please check the link
https://www.tec.tas.gov.au/Local_Government_Elections/Enrolment.html
for a clear explanation which fits with what the Council website says.
Cheers.