Explainer: Council Countback Elections
The resignation of Councillor Troy Arandale from Glen Innes Severn Council has prompted the start of a countback election process — a method used in New South Wales to fill council vacancies without holding a full by-election. How Does It Work? When a councillor resigns mid-term, and they were elected via proportional representation, the NSW Electoral Commission can conduct a countback election rather than a fresh vote. Here’s how the process unfolds: • The Commission contacts all unelected candidates from the previous council election to determine who is still eligible to fill the vacancy. • These candidates are invited to…
