Local Government Elections

Councillors play a vital leadership role, working together to create and implement their community’s vision and strategic direction.

Mayors, Deputy Mayors and Elected Members are all elected for four-year terms. Mayors and Deputy Mayors are popularly elected by the community. 

How elections work

Tasmanian local government elections are conducted by the Tasmanian Electoral Commission (TEC) using a postal ballot. You do not need to attend a polling booth.

Elections for Tasmania’s 29 Councils are conducted by full postal ballot. This means that voters do not attend a polling place to vote, like they do for State and Federal elections. Instead, information required to vote is sent directly to each voter’s address, however you must be enrolled to vote to participate in a Local Government Election.

The Tasmanian Electoral Commission is responsible for the supervision of Local Government elections. The Electoral Commission appoints returning officers to run the election.

Who can vote in Local Government Elections?

If you are currently on the Electoral Roll for State and Federal Elections for your address in the Glamorgan Spring Bay Municipal area you are automatically on the Local Government Roll.

To check your enrolment on the Electoral Roll please visit the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) website at www.aec.gov.au and click on the “Check Enrolment” button. An enrolment form can also be obtained from that website or by calling the AEC on 132 326 or from any post office.

You may also be eligible to enrol on the “General Manager’s Roll” if:

  • you are a resident in the Glamorgan Spring Bay municipality, but not eligible for the State Electoral Roll (for example, because you are not an Australian Citizen), or
  • you own or occupy land in a municipal area different from where you are enrolled on the State Electoral Roll, or
  • you are the nominated representative of a corporate body which owns or occupies land in the municipal area.

Do I have to vote?

Compulsory for people on the State Electoral Roll
Not compulsory for those on the General Manager’s Roll

Local Government elections are a full postal ballot which means there is a polling period rather than one polling day. Every elector will be sent their very own postal ballot pack at their postal address. You then have around four weeks to complete your vote and:

  • hand deliver to Customer Service at 9 Melbourne Street, Triabunna or
  • mail using the Reply Paid envelope in your ballot pack.

Please note that if you are mailing your vote to the returning officer, you should do so allowing sufficient time for the mail to be received prior to the close of polling.

Elections are conducted by the Tasmanian Electoral Commission (TEC). Further information regarding enrolment, elections and voting is available on the TEC website.

How to enrol for the General Manager’s Electoral Roll

To apply to be on the General Manager’s Roll, you need to complete one of the following forms:

Completed General Manager’s Enrolment Forms should be returned to Glamorgan Spring Bay Council via:

2026 Local Government Elections Tasmania: Information for Prospective Candidates

For key information in relation to the 2026 Local Government Elections, please follow the below link.2026 Local government elections Tasmania

2026 Local Government Elections: Information for Prospective Candidates

Local government plays a vital role in shaping Tasmanian communities, from roads, infrastructure and planning to services and community wellbeing. The 2026 local government elections are an opportunity for electors to choose who will represent them, including councillors, mayors and deputy mayors.

If you are considering nominating, now is the time to learn about the role, eligibility requirements, nomination process, campaigning obligations and election timetable.

Election overview

In September and October 2026, elections will be held across all 29 Tasmanian local government areas. Elections are conducted by postal ballot and voting is compulsory for all electors on the State Roll.

Glamorgan Spring Bay will have seven councillors following the upcoming local government elections, along with the positions of Mayor and Deputy Mayor, for a four-year term. This means there will be nine Elected Members in total. This is down from the previous total of ten due to state-wide council reforms that reduce councillor numbers across Tasmania.

Candidate handbooks and official information

The Tasmanian Electoral Commission (TEC) is the official source of information about candidate eligibility, nominations and the election timetable.

The Local Government Association of Tasmania (LGAT) has also released a Candidate Handbook to support anyone considering running for local council and to explain the role and responsibilities of a Councillor. View the Candidate Handbook here.

Election timetable
  • Monday 7 September 2026: Nominations open
  • Thursday 10 September 2026: Enrolment closes at 6pm
  • Monday 21 September 2026: Nominations close at 12 noon
  • Tuesday 22 September 2026: Nominations announced at 12 noon
  • Monday 5 October 2026: Ballot packs delivered by post
  • Tuesday 27 October 2026: Close of poll at 2pm
  • Wednesday 28 October 2026: Counting commences

Advertising and signage

Election signs must:
✔ Have a maximum area of 1.5 square metres
✔ Be displayed no earlier than 8 weeks before polling day
✔ Be removed within 7 days after polling day
✔ Be displayed on private with the owner’s permission, and must not encroach upon a road, road reserve, or other public land

✔ Include the required electoral authorisation.

Election signs, stickers and other political material are not permitted:
❌ On roads, road reservations, nature strips or median strips or any other public land
❌ On any public land, infrastructure or road reserve
❌ On Council-owned land, assets, facilities, buildings, car parks or other Council property
❌ In public parks, reserves or playgrounds
❌ On power poles, streetlight poles or other utility infrastructure
❌ On public infrastructure, including bus shelters, traffic signal boxes, public bins and seating
❌ On trees located on public land
❌ On bridges, overpasses or other public infrastructure.’

Reporting non-compliant election signage

If you believe election signage does not comply with planning requirements, you can report it to Glamorgan Spring Bay Council. Please include a photograph of the sign, along with the date, time and location.

You can submit a report:

  • 🌐 Online via Contact Us – Glamorgan Spring Bay Council
  • 📧 By email to Glamorgan Spring Bay Council – admin@freycinet.tas.gov.au
  • 👥 In person at the Council Chambers – 9 Melbourne Street, TAS 7190
  • 📫 By mail to Glamorgan Spring Bay Council – PO 6, Triabunna TAS 7190

Useful websites

More information

Contact the Tasmanian Electoral Commission for information about enrolment, voting and candidacy.

Website: tec.tas.gov.au Phone: 1800 801 701

Also in Council Governance