The NSW Electoral Commission has issued a reminder that informal vote numbers cast in the 2024 Local Government elections will not be clear until much later in the vote count process.
“We expect all check counts to be completed week commencing 30 September,” said Acting NSW Electoral Commissioner, Dr Matthew Phillips.
Commissioner Phillips said in the Initial count process several types of votes are allocated to the ‘Informal/Other’ category in the NSW Electoral Commission’s Virtual tally room.
“At this early stage of the count process, the ‘Informal/Other” category does not just include informal votes. It also includes other types of votes that undergo further sorting and counting.”
“For example, some candidates’ formal, Below the line votes are included in the ‘Informal/Other’ category votes figure category. In the Virtual tally room these candidates are marked with an asterix.
“During the Check count, these votes will be reviewed and, if formal, moved out of the ‘Informal/Other’ group and included in the formal count numbers.”
He said the ‘Informal/Other’ category also includes ballot papers that are unclear ballot papers, and formal ballot papers that are marked both Above and Below the line.
In the Check count, all ballot papers will be data entered into the computer count system where each ballot paper is re-checked for formality and sorted to its correct category.
After the Check count, the ‘Informal/Other’ votes number will reduce as the votes initially allocated to this category undergo scrutiny by election officials.
The Commissioner said counting was proceeding in line with legislative requirements and the published count timeline.
All count results (Initial counts, Check counts, and Distribution of preferences) will be published as soon as they are available.
The count cannot be concluded until all postal votes have been returned to the Electoral Commissioner. The deadline for return of completed postal votes is 6pm on Friday, 27 September.
When all the votes have been counted, the official announcement of the elections result will be declared in writing. Results will be declared between 1 and 3 October 2024.
