An introduction to voting in the Toowoomba Regional election

TOOWOOMBA and the Darling Downs is again set for an exciting period of activity, with the date of the 2019 Local Government elections drawing close.

On Saturday, March 28, residents of the Toowoomba Region will head to the polls to elect one mayoral candidate and 10 councillors to represent them in local council.

This election feature seeks to provide local voters with information that will help them cast their vote.

All mayoral and council candidates who elected to take part in this feature have been given the chance to have their say to voters.

Some are known people, currently sitting on the Toowoomba Regional Council, some are past councillors, and some are fresh faces.

This feature provides some background information on this year’s candidates, what issues they wish to champion, and what policies they will strive for if they are elected to council.

For further information about voting call the Electoral Commission Queensland voters’ helpline on 1300 881 665 between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday or between 8am to 6pm on polling day.

Voting in the Local Government election is compulsory for all residents 18 years and over.

If you will be travelling interstate or overseas on polling day, but intend to return to your permanent address within the short term, you can vote at a pre-poll centre before departing, apply for a postal vote or complete an overseas notification form.

If you are travelling overseas for an extended period of time or indefinitely, you can register as an overseas elector or complete an overseas notification form requesting to be removed from the Australian electoral roll for the duration of your travel.

ASSISTED VOTING

To ensure all electors have an equal opportunity to vote at the local government election, the Electoral Commission will provide the following assistance

Declared institution voting

Declared institution voting is not available for institution staff, visitors or family.

To see whether your residence has been registered for declared institution voting, visit the ECQ website.

Electoral visitor voting

Contact the Commission to find out if you are eligible for an electoral visitor vote and apply to have a polling official attend your residence to allow you to vote.

Electronic-assisted voting

See Commission website for eligibility criteria.

Assistance at the polling booth Disability access

Information about disability access to polling booths can be found on the Commission website.

Telephone voting

A person may join you in the polling booth should you need help when making your vote. This person may act as an interpreter, read and explain the ballot paper instructions, complete the ballot paper according to your instructions and place the ballot paper in the ballot box. This service is available during early voting and on election day. Contact the Commission to register for the dedicated telephone voting system that’s available for eligible electors including those with a disability.

Translation and interpreting service

A telephone translation and interpreting service is available through Language Loop, for people with English as a second language.

You can call Language Loop on (07) 3082 1400, or see stepby-step voting instructions in 27 different languages on the Commission website.

Happy voting!