Media releases and statements

After almost eight years serving as the Electoral Commissioner for NSW and almost 40 years in public service, John Schmidt will serve his final day at work on Friday, 5 April before retiring.

NSW Electoral Commissioner John Schmidt has published the final report of his review into technology assisted voting.

The NSW Electoral Commissioner John Schmidt has released the interim report of his review into technology assisted voting.

2023 NSW State election pre-election political donations information (published by location).

A poll will be held on Saturday, 20 May 2023 to elect one councillor for the Lachlan Shire Council (D Ward).

The distribution of preferences for the Legislative Council election will be conducted at 11am on Wednesday 19 April 2023.

There will be a recount of ballot papers for the Legislative Assembly district of Ryde.

The distribution of preferences to determine the elected candidate for each NSW district will take place Thursday, 13 April.

We have now received more than 466,000 postal votes in total for the 2023 NSW State election after the deadline to return postal votes closed at 6pm this evening.

Lachlan Shire Council (D Ward) by-election

Vote counting activities this week 3-8 April.

Vote counting activities today and Saturday, 1 April.

More than 4 million votes have been counted for the 2023 NSW State election as record postal votes continue to be returned.

More than 883,200 people have cast their vote early and a record number of postal vote applications have been received ahead of the NSW State election day, Saturday, 25 March.

540,208 applications have been received to vote by post in the 2023 NSW State election.

Early, in-person voting is set to begin across NSW from Saturday, 18 March.

The list of candidates for the NSW State election on Saturday, 25 March is now available.

The list of candidates for the NSW State election on Saturday, 25 March will be available on Thursday, 9 March.

Redistribution of electoral districts brings changes to NSW

Prospective candidates can now start lodging their nominations for the upcoming 2023 NSW State election with the NSW Electoral Commission.

Lachlan Shire (D Ward) by-election

The NSW Electoral Commission has launched its campaign to help reduce the spread of disinformation ahead of the 2023 NSW State election.

The NSW State election is on Saturday, 25 March, and the NSW Electoral Commission is asking NSW voters to get ready to vote by enrolling to vote or checking their enrolment is up to date.

The NSW Electoral Commission is encouraging NSW voters to enrol or check their enrolment before the end of the year and make sure they are ready to vote in the 2023 NSW State election.

Pre-election donation disclosures for the 2023 NSW State election are available to view on the NSW Electoral Commission website.

Joint statement: The NSW Electoral Commission has commenced a review of technology-assisted voting in NSW elections.

The NSW Electoral Commissioner, John Schmidt, has released an Issues and Questions paper as part of a targeted review into technology assisted voting.

The NSW Electoral Commission has today launched its recruitment drive for more than 24,000 people across NSW to deliver the election in March next year.

The results of City of Ryde (West Ward) councillor by-election held on Saturday, 15 October 2022 are now available on the NSW Electoral Commission website.

Voters are reminded that election day for the City of Ryde (West Ward) council by-election is tomorrow, Saturday, 15 October.

Electors can vote early from this Tuesday, 4 October in the City of Ryde (West Ward) ahead of election day on Saturday, 15 October.

Candidates for the City of Ryde (West Ward) by-election on Saturday, 15 October have been announced by the NSW Electoral Commission.

Candidate nominations for the City of Ryde (West Ward) by-election open Monday, 5 September.

Saturday, 15 October 2022 has been set as the date for a by-election to fill one councillor position in the City of Ryde (West Ward).

Voters are reminded that election day for the Kempsey, Shellharbour Ward A and Singleton council elections is tomorrow, Saturday 30 July.

Early voting opens this Monday, 18 July for voters in Kempsey Shire Council, Shellharbour City Council Ward A and Singleton Council, ahead of election day on Saturday, 30 July.

Candidates for the NSW local council elections for Kempsey Shire Council, Shellharbour City Council - Ward A and Singleton Council on Saturday, 30 July have been announced.

Ballot paper draw for NSW local council elections to be held Thursday 30 June.

Candidates are invited to nominate for the NSW local council elections in Kempsey, Shellharbour Ward A and Singleton.

Candidate nominations for local council elections open Monday, 20 June.

Saturday, 30 July has been set as the date for local council elections to be held for Kempsey Shire Council, Singleton Council and Shellharbour City Council Ward A only.

An election will be held for Shellharbour City Council (Ward A), Singleton Council, and Kempsey Shire Council in July 2022.

Participants in the local government councillor elections for Kempsey, Singleton and Shellharbour Ward A may apply for act of grace payments to reimburse electoral expenditure incurred.

On 17 March 2022, the Supreme Court of NSW delivered judgment in relation to an application brought by the NSW Electoral Commissioner around the operation of the iVote system.

John Schmidt, the Electoral Commissioner for New South Wales, has determined that iVote will not be used for the 2023 NSW State election.

More than 50 per cent of voters have already had their say ahead of tomorrow's Local Government by-elections in Cobar and Tenterfield Ward C.

NSW Electoral Commissioner’s statement: Supreme Court proceedings concerning iVote and the 2021 NSW Local Government election.

Early voting is now open for enrolled residents of Cobar Shire Council and Ward C of Tenterfield Shire Council ahead of election day on Saturday, 26 February 2022. 

More than 38 per cent of voters have had already their say in the Bega, Monaro, Strathfield and Willoughby State by-elections, but results will take longer than usual to be announced.

Voters in the Bega, Monaro, Strathfield and Willoughby State by-elections should keep an eye on their mail as postal packs start arriving in letterboxes in each district.

Candidates for the Bega, Monaro, Strathfield and Willoughby State by-election have been announced by the NSW Electoral Commission.

Bega, Monaro, Strathfield and Willoughby districts to vote 12 February.

The NSW Electoral Commission has released a statement regarding unavailability of iVote for state and Local Government by-elections.

The NSW Electoral Commissioner has released a statement regarding the impact of iVote issues on the 2021 NSW Local government elections.

The NSW Electoral Commission is aware some iVote users were unable to gain access to the system to vote today.

Voters act early at 2021 NSW Local Government elections.

Voting at 2021 NSW Local Government elections begins shortly.

Check your voting options for local council elections.

Prospective candidates must act now to be included on ballot.

Candidates for the NSW local council elections can begin preparing their nomination applications online now.

We're recruiting more than 30,000 people across NSW to ahead of the December local council elections.

Check or update your enrolment details for the 2021 NSW Local Government elections.

Information for prospective candidates at the 2021 NSW Local Government elections.

Statement issued by the Chairperson of the Electoral Districts Redistribution Panel.

The NSW Government has postponed the 2021 Local Government elections for three months.

State-wide recruitment drive underway for local council elections.

More than 40 per cent of eligible voters have already had their say ahead of election day in the Upper Hunter State electoral district by-election.

Early voting in person is now available for eligible voters of the Upper Hunter electoral district.

Candidates for the Upper Hunter State by-election have been announced by the NSW Electoral Commission. 

Candidates who have nominated for the Upper Hunter State by-election will be announced on Friday, 7 May.

Following the issue of the writ, nominations can now be lodged.

A public hearing is to be held into the draft determination of NSW’s state electoral districts.

Statement issued by the Chairperson of the Electoral Districts Redistribution Panel.

The NSW Electoral Commissioner has been advised that the Member for Upper Hunter resigned from Parliament.

Statement issued by the Chairperson of the Electoral Districts Redistribution Panel.

Draft changes to NSW electoral district names and boundaries are published today for public consultation.

Electoral districts in New South Wales are being reviewed. 

The Minister for Local Government has advised that the next local government elections will be held on Saturday, 4 September 2021.

Statement issued by the Chairperson of the Electoral Districts Redistribution Panel.

The 93 electoral districts in New South Wales are being reviewed, and the boundaries redrawn if necessary, to ensure equal numbers of voters in each district.

Statement issued by the Chairperson of the Electoral Districts Redistribution Panel.

The NSW Government has postponed the 2020 Local government elections for 12 months.

The Electoral Districts Redistribution Panel has been appointed and the redistribution process is expected to be completed in 2021.

An update on our program of work to support transparency and public confidence around iVote.

Source code for 2019 NSW State election online voting released for review and comment.

If you worked at a NSW State election or local council by-election, you can find your income statement or payment summary by logging on to the myGov website.

The distribution of preferences for the Legislative Council will take place 11am Monday, 15 April 2019 at The Portside Centre, 207 Kent Street, Sydney.

The distribution of preferences for the Legislative Assembly will take place on Thursday, 4 April 2019 at each Election Manager’s office in their respective electoral district.

An election will be held for the City of Ryde (West Ward) on Saturday, 15 October 2022 to fill one councillor position. 

The check count (batching and data entry) for the Legislative Council ballot papers began on Sunday at the Legislative Council count centre, Rosehill Racecourse Exhibition Hall.

The NSW Electoral Commission is aware of a media release jointly issued by a number of minor parties and independent candidates today.

In its media release dated 12 March 2019, the NSW Electoral Commission advised it was aware of an issue relating to its iVote internet and telephone voting system.

The NSW Electoral Commission has confirmed that problems have been experienced today with the iVote registration system.

The NSW Electoral Commission is aware of an issue relating to its iVote internet and telephone voting system.

The NSW Electoral Commission will hold the ballot draws for the 93 electoral districts of the Legislative Assembly and the Legislative Council at 10am, Thursday 7 March.

NSW Electoral Commissioner John Schmidt today announced he had received writs for the election of 93 members of the Legislative Assembly and 21 members of the Legislative Council.

The NSW Electoral Commission is aware of text messages distributed regarding the iVote technology assisted voting platform for the NSW State election on 23 March 2019.

Disclosures of political donations made and received during the six month period ending December 2018 are now available on the NSW Electoral Commission website. 

Planning and executing the NSW State election on 23 March this year is a major logistics exercise and involves thousands of workers and venues across 93 NSW State election districts.

Applications are now open for postal and iVote online and telephone voting for the NSW State election being held on Saturday, 23 March 2019.

Are you free on Saturday 23 March this year to work at the NSW State election?

Voters in the City of Griffith local government area are reminded to cast their vote in the by-election being held on 16 February 2019.

Voters in the Uralla Ward A local government area are reminded to cast their vote for the Uralla Ward A by-election, being held on Saturday, 16 February 2019.

Voters in the Lachlan D Ward local government area are reminded to cast their vote for the Lachlan D Ward by-election, being held on Saturday, 16 February 2019.

Pre-poll voting for the upcoming City of Griffith Local government by-election is now open ahead of the Griffith by-election on 16 February 2019.

Applications for postal votes at the upcoming City of Griffith Local government by-election are now open.

NSW Electoral Commission is seeking 10,000 staff for the 2019 State election.

The NSW Electoral Commissioner is inviting requests from individuals who have a private or academic interest and expertise in electronic voting.

The NSW Electoral Commission is encouraging applications for jobs at the 2019 State election.

Disclosures of political donations made and/or received and electoral expenditure incurred for the 2017/18 financial year are now available.

The NSW Electoral Commissioner advises that the distribution of preferences to ascertain the result of the Wagga Wagga State by-election will be conducted at 1pm, Friday, 14 September 2018. 

The NSW Electoral Commission has revised its timeline for processing the final vote count for the Wagga Wagga State by-election held on Saturday, 8 September 2018.

NSW Electoral Commission declaration of disclosures July 2016 - June 2017 are now available online.

NSW local government elections are on Saturday, 9 September 2017.

Early voting for the NSW Local Council elections begins Monday, 28 August for people who can't vote on election day, Saturday, 9 September 2017.

Thousands of people are expected to take advantage of early voting leading up to the NSW Council elections to be held on Saturday, 9 September 2017.

Nominations for the NSW Local council elections closed at noon, Wednesday 9 August.

Local government elections are to be held on Saturday, 9 September 2017.

Results will be available from after 6pm, Saturday 9 September 2017 on the NSW Electoral Commission website.

Nominations close at 12 noon Wednesday, 9 August for candidates wishing to contest the NSW Local Council elections to be held Saturday, 9 September 2017.

As at 9am today, 436 candidate nominations have been accepted for the 45 NSW councils whose elections are being managed by the NSW Electoral Commission.