IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON ELECTORAL MATERIAL FOR THE NSW LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTION

As the NSW Local Government Election approaches, it is important for all candidates to be fully aware of the regulations that govern electoral material during the regulated period. These laws are specifically designed to uphold the integrity of the election process, and any breach of these regulations is considered a criminal offence.
All participants in the upcoming elections must familiarise themselves with the rules surrounding electoral material in the lead-up to election day.
For printed electoral material, it is mandatory to include the name and street address of the person who authorised the material, as well as the name of the printer and the street address of the premises where it was printed.
Social media posts, webpages and other electronic material by electoral participants must also include the name and street address of the person who authorised the content, which can be provided through a link on social media posts or within the ‘about’ section of the specific page.
It is also essential that electoral material does not contain instructions on how to vote that conflict with the directions on the ballot paper, or material that could potentially result in a voter casting an informal vote.
Electoral material must not be displayed on or within any premises without the written permission of the property owner and is strictly prohibited on state or local council properties.
Special rules come into effect on election day and in areas close to polling places. Any electoral material distributed on election day must be registered with the NSW Electoral Commission during the registration period. Officers from the NSW Electoral Commission have the authority to direct individuals to remove any unlawful electoral material, and failure to comply with such a direction constitutes a criminal offence.
On early voting days and election day itself, voters must not be approached, and posters must not be displayed within a voting centre or within six metres of its entrance. Additionally, the use of loudspeakers and other broadcasting devices is prohibited if they can be heard within a voting centre or within six metres of its entrance.
Candidates must also ensure that electoral material does not state or imply that it is an official communication from the Electoral Commissioner or the NSW Electoral Commission. This includes avoiding any misleading impressions that could be created through the use of certain colours or visual design elements.
For more detailed information, candidates can consult the NSW Electoral Commission candidate handbook, visit the NSW Electoral Commission's website, or call 1300 022 011.