Candidate Handbook By-Elections
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f S Contents Introduction 1 Election rules ............................................................................................................................................................... 1 How to access the Act and other legislation ........................................................................................................ 1 Other quick points ...................................................................................................................................................... 1 Role of Tasmanian Electoral Commission 2 Councillors and aldermen 3 Notice of election 4 Publication of notice .................................................................................................................................................. 4 Timetable — Glenorchy City, Kingborough and West Coast Council by-elections 5 Nomination 6 Nomination as a councillor ..................................................................................................................................... 6 Nomination as mayor or deputy mayor ................................................................................................................ 6 Electoral rolls ............................................................................................................................................................... 6 Members of Parliament ........................................................................................................................................... 7 The nomination form ................................................................................................................................................ 7 Acceptance or rejection of nomination ................................................................................................................ 7 Withdrawal of nomination ....................................................................................................................................... 8 Display of notice of nominations ........................................................................................................................... 8 Candidate statements and photographs .............................................................................................................. 8 Voting 10 Who can vote at a local government election .................................................................................................... 10 Order of names on ballot papers .......................................................................................................................... 10 Postal ballot pack ..................................................................................................................................................... 10 Replacement postal ballot pack ............................................................................................................................ 10 How to return a vote ................................................................................................................................................ 11 Security and privacy of the postal ballot ............................................................................................................. 11 Scrutineers 12 Role of the scrutineer ............................................................................................................................................. 12 Appointment of scrutineers .................................................................................................................................. 12 Closing day 13 Close of poll (closing day) ...................................................................................................................................... 13 Formal votes ............................................................................................................................................................. 13 Informal votes ........................................................................................................................................................... 13 Electoral advertising return 14 All electoral advertising expenditure must be declared .................................................................................... 14 Electoral advertising return .................................................................................................................................... 14 Joint electoral advertising ...................................................................................................................................... 15 Electoral Commissioner’s responsibilities .......................................................................................................... 15 Consequences for exceeding the new expenditure limits ............................................................................... 16 Advertising 17 Electoral advertising ................................................................................................................................................ 17 Requirements for printed electoral advertising material .................................................................................. 17 Example of authorisation: ....................................................................................................................................... 17 Use of candidate name, photograph or likeness ............................................................................................... 18 Use of published materials without permission ................................................................................................ 18 Advertising gifts, donations and prizes ................................................................................................................ 18 Canvassing for votes ............................................................................................................................................... 18 Justices of the Peace .............................................................................................................................................. 18 Federal requirements for radio and television advertisements ...................................................................... 19 Broadcasting blackout ............................................................................................................................................ 19 Other offences 20 Offences in violation of secrecy of ballot ............................................................................................................ 20 Bribery ........................................................................................................................................................................ 20 Undue influence ........................................................................................................................................................ 20 False or misleading statements ............................................................................................................................ 21 Placement of campaign material 22 Posters and signs .................................................................................................................................................... 22 Placement of posters .............................................................................................................................................. 22 Electoral roadside signs .......................................................................................................................................... 22 Offence to place electoral matter on electricity poles ...................................................................................... 23 Electronic billboards ................................................................................................................................................ 23 ‘Prescribed’ and ‘relevant’ periods 24 Hare-Clark electoral system 25 Where does the name Hare-Clark come from? .................................................................................................. 25 How is a candidate elected? .................................................................................................................................. 25 What is the quota? ................................................................................................................................................... 25 Filling a casual vacancy 26 What is a recount? ................................................................................................................................................... 26 Candidates contesting a recount ......................................................................................................................... 26 Consent to contest a recount ............................................................................................... 26 Notification to candidates ...................................................................................................................................... 26 Scrutineers ............................................................................................................................................................... 26 By-elections ..............................................................................................................................................................