THE nervous wait for Tamworth’s 19 council candidates is almost over, with the region headed to the polls this Saturday to pick the next nine councillors to lead the region to 2020
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Pre-poll voting has been under way in the region since Monday, August 29, but a lower than expected number have turned out for an early vote.
Councillors are elected on a quota system in local government elections.
A quota is achieved when candidate reaches a designated percentage of first preference formal votes.
The formula for a quota is the total number of formal votes divided by one more than the number of spots available on council, plus one.
People voting for Tamworth Regional Councillors need to number at least five boxes in order of preference on this year’s ballot paper.
But voters are able, and encouraged, to give preferences for as many candidates as they wish.
Residents and ratepayers of Tamworth will be handed a slightly different looking ballot paper this time around, with the presence of grouped candidates.
There are three candidates running under the Liberal Party banner and two other candidates running in an unnamed group, along with 14 un-grouped candidates.
If a grouped candidate receives a quota of first preferences, subsequent first preference votes will not be forwarded on to the group’s next candidate.
There are no group voting squares on the TRC ballot paper.
There is no restriction as to how preferences are given by the elector to other candidates.
If one, or any, of a voters preferred candidates are not elected, those preferences may help get other candidates elected.
NSW local council elections are on this Saturday, September 10 and pre-poll voting offices will be open until Friday, September 9.
The Tamworth returning office at 498 Peel St will remain open for pre-poll voting from 8.30am to 5.30pm until Thursday and hours will extend to 6pm on Friday.
Voting in council elections is compulsory, with a $55 fine for not voting.