Elections

Council elections are conducted by postal ballot. All elections for Councillor positions are required to be conducted using a multi-member proportional representation electoral system. This is directly modelled on the Hare-Clark system used for Tasmanian House of Assembly elections.

A feature of the Hare-Clark electoral system is that vacant seats are filled by recount rather than by-elections. Under the postal ballot system there is a “polling period” of at least 10 days (excluding any Saturday, Sunday or bank holiday), rather than a single polling day.

The Candidate Information Booklet from the Tasmanian Electoral Commission (TEC) is an important reference for intending candidates. If you would like a hard copy, copies are available from the TEC office, 169 Main Road, Moonah. Alternatively, call the TEC on 1800 801 701 and they will post one to you.

Anyone who is enrolled for House of Assembly elections is eligible to vote. Others who can register to vote by completing a form available are:

• Residents who are not on the State Electoral Roll (for instance non-Australian citizens).
• Non-resident owners or occupiers of property in the Clarence municipal area.
• The nominee of a corporate body.

• Electoral Enrolment Form (for both residents not on the electoral roll, and for non-resident owners or occupiers).
• Corporate Body Nomination Enrolment Form
• House of Assembly Enrolment – online resource

Completed Enrolment Forms together with supporting documentation showing residency in the municipal area, where applicable, should be returned via:

• Email: clarence@ccc.tas.gov.au
• Mail: PO Box 96, Rosny Park, TAS, 7018

The Caretaker Policy explains how Council will operate during the period leading up to a local government election until the newly elected Council takes office.

It outlines the rules that apply during this time to ensure essential services continue, Council officers remain politically impartial, significant decisions are not made that could bind an incoming Council, and Council resources are used appropriately.

• Election-Caretaker-Period-Policy
• Communication during Caretaker Period Procedure

Requirements for election signs in Clarence are in accordance with the Tasmanian Planning Scheme – Clarence which defines an election sign as an impermanent sign identifying candidates or promoting a political party for local, state or federal government elections.

The scheme provides an exemption for election signage on the basis that the sign must:

1. not encroach on any road or other public land
2. have a maximum area of 1.5m²
3. not be erected more than eight weeks before the polling date
4. be removed within seven days after the polling date

Election signage can not be erected if it causes a risk to public safety or a traffic hazard, and cannot be placed on council or Crown land. Council land includes property nature strips, noting that any signs placed on a fence are to be parallel with the fence and not angled so that it protrudes over the nature strip.

• Any election signs on council land will be removed and the candidate notified where and when they can collect the sign.
• On private property, the permission of the property owner or occupier must be obtained before putting up the sign.
• A person must not publicly display a poster, or sign, relating to the election of a candidate without the written authority of that candidate.

When can election signs be displayed?

Election signage for the 2026 local government elections can only be erected during 1 September 2026 and 3 November 2026 – in accordance with the scheme.

Relevant period

Legislation and information for candidates refer to the “relevant period” being 6 August until close of the poll on 27 October. This relates to, amongst other things, the period applicable to electoral advertising expenditure and shouldn’t be confused with the requirements of the planning scheme as they relate to the timeframe for erection of signage as referred to above.