Page title

For this reason, the State Government has produced a toolkit for local governments which contains communications material that is designed to ensure ratepayers in particular are properly informed before casting their vote.

The communications toolkit covers the three main electoral reforms — the introduction of Optional Preferential Voting (OPV), direct voting for mayor/president in some councils and changes to council representation.

The toolkit consists of:

• 1 x Notice to Residents from Local Government Minister David Michael that can be emailed or printed/mailed to residents. An alternative Notice to Residents from DLGSC Director General Lanie Chopping is also available if preferred.
• 2 x factsheets (A4 size) and posters (A3 size), one with information about the 3 electoral reforms and another specifically about OPV. This material can be emailed or printed/mailed direct to ratepayers/residents. The posters can be printed and displayed at council facilities and venues. These can be attached to/included with the Notice to Residents.
• 2 x short videos, one presented by Minister Michael about the 3 electoral reforms and another specifically about OPV with voice-over only. These can be uploaded to local government websites and distributed via social media and other communication channels.
• 3 x social media posts on the reforms and OPV, with images.

Your support to help us inform and educate the community about the reforms is vital to ensure that voters know about these changes so their vote will count at the October elections. We urge you to please utilise the toolkit and distribute the communications material extensively within your community in the lead-up to the elections.