If you are considering standing for local council in the upcoming elections, you can now complete and save your nomination forms online. It's a great way to get prepared as the lodgement period is short.

Maybe you don't plan to nominate, but if you are over 18, you will need to vote as it is compulsory. The NSW Electoral Commission is urging people to be aware of this legal requirement.

Local Government elections will be held on Saturday 14 September this year and although you can complete your nomination form now, it can only be lodged between 8am, Monday 5 August and 12 noon, Wednesday 14 August 2024.

Some local Shires have already held information sessions for prospective councillors including Bogan, Walgett and Gilgandra.

At the Gilgandra meeting, held earlier this week, Deputy Mayor Ash Walker shared his thoughts on the commitments involved with being a councillor for the Gilgandra Shire.

"The commitment of being a councillor is sometimes just attending community functions, everything from Australia Day to Bushfire Medal presentations," Mr Walker said.

"We have a monthly council meeting which takes anything from two to four hours as well as workshops where we look at the budgeting process and the strategic direction of council."

Mr Walker, along with Mayor Doug Batten, General Manager, David Neeves and current councillors welcomed anyone with an interest in learning more about this important community role to attend the two hour workshop which helped shed some light on the role in a relaxed and informal setting.

Providing similar information was Bogan Shire Council where the briefings gave an insight into the time commitment required of a councillor for meetings and other activities as well as looking into the responsibilities of the role.

Another consideration of upcoming elections is enrolling to vote which is compulsory for all eligible voters. The NSW Electoral Commission is urging anyone who is eligible to vote in NSW to make sure they are enrolled ahead of this year’s local council elections. 

Acting NSW Electoral Commissioner Matt Phillips said thousands of young NSW residents would have recently become eligible to enrol to vote. 

“If you are 17 and will be 18 on or before election day this year, you can provisionally enrol now and be ready to vote in September,” he said. “It’s quick and easy to do online."

Mr Phillips said NSW had the highest enrolment rate of any state or territory with 99 per cent of eligible voters enrolled as of March. 

“NSW can be proud of its enrolment rate but we want everyone who is eligible to be ready to have their say in the NSW local council elections,” he said. “It is compulsory to enrol to vote in NSW if you are eligible and aged 18 or over. All you need to enrol is a driver's license or similar identification document or you can have someone who is already enrolled confirm your identity.” 

“If you are not yet enrolled, I encourage you to do so as soon as possible,” he said. 

Information is available at Local Government Elections .