Residents can now vote early for council elections as Western Plains shires prepare for election day on 14 September.

The time for pre-polling for eligible voters may vary between locations to up Friday 13 September, while booths will not operate on Sunday 8 September. 

Electors can find a polling station through the NSWEC's address lookup.

Acting NSW Electoral Commissioner Dr Matthew Phillips said voting is compulsory for council elections.

“Opening hours will vary, so make sure you check when your chosen pre-poll place will be open before heading out to vote,” Dr Phillips said. 

“Unlike at State elections, you must vote within your council area or ward at local council elections. There is no absentee voting.

“Voting venues, candidates and other key voter information can be found using the address look-up tool at elections.nsw.gov.au."

Voting in Coonamble Shire during the 2021 Local Government Elections. 

According to the NSWEC, people are eligible for pre-poll voting if they will be outside their ward or council area, or more than eight kilometres from a voting centre, on election day.

The Electoral Commission also counts illness, religious commitments and disability as eligible reasons to vote early.

Residents based in Cobar and Warrumbungle shires will not need to vote since there were not enough accepted candidates to hold a contest.

Residents of Warren Shire's wards A, B and D will stay home for the same reason.

It's the same situation in Lachlan Shire, where only one of its five wards - Ward C - will go to a general contest.

Lachlan Ward E will go to a by-election for one seat, which did not receive enough accepted nominations to fill its two seats.

Dr Phillips said the Commission is also responding to strong demand to vote by post, with 376,145 applications received since Tuesday, 6 August. 

“It’s great to see NSW voters are planning ahead, but don’t leave filling out your postal pack to the last minute. If you’ve received yours, read the instructions carefully and make sure you’ve completed it before 6pm on election day.”