If you are aged 18 years, voting in this year's local government election, on Saturday, December 4, is compulsory.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
But, as COVID-19 cases throughout the Mid Coast local government area continue to be identified on a daily basis, what measures has the Electoral Commission put into place to ensure everyone is COVID-safe?
To minimise risks associated with COVID-19 the NSW Electoral Commission is this year encouraging residents to vote either via postal, online or operator assisted voting (iVote) or at a pre-poll venue to reduce the number of people attending a polling booth at the one time.
Within the Mid Coast LGA pre-poll venues will be open on Monday, November 22 from 9am-5pm, Monday to Saturday at:
- Mid Coast Council Gloucester Council Chamber Railway Street, Gloucester;
- Manning Uniting Church, 29 Albert Street, Taree;
- Tuncurry Memorial Hall, 7 Point Road, Tuncurry;
- Mid-Coast Returning Officer's Office 4 Breese Parade, Forster, and
- Council District Office, 245 Myall Street,Tea Gardens.
While single use pens will be made available, voters are advised to bring their own pens to mark the ballot paper.
Electoral Commission workers are required to be fully vaccinated and wear a face mask, while voters will be required to abide by the 1.5 metre social distancing rules, wear a face mask, and check in and out using the Service NSW COVID-Safe check in QR code.
Residents who select to vote on December 4 can cast their ballot from 8am until 6pm at a multitude of sites across the Mid Coast.
Eighty candidates from 13 independent and political groups are vying for 11 positions on council.
MidCoast Council, which covers an area of more than 10,000 square kilometres and has a population of around 90,000, was established in May 2016 following the amalgamation of Great Lakes, Greater Taree and Gloucester councils.
Did you know? Great Lakes Advocate online subscribers not only have 24/7 access to local and national news, sport, what's on and entertainment - they also have access to our print edition in digital format, with all the advertisements and classifieds at their fingertips.
Jeanene Duncan
Jeanene has more than 40 years experience as a regional and rural journalist starting at The Land Newspaper. She also worked for Stock Journal Newspaper (SA), McPherson, Fairfax newspapers and Rural Press, and contributed to various magazines.
Jeanene has more than 40 years experience as a regional and rural journalist starting at The Land Newspaper. She also worked for Stock Journal Newspaper (SA), McPherson, Fairfax newspapers and Rural Press, and contributed to various magazines.
