Frequently Asked Questions

Adelaide City Council will be holding elections in 2010.

There are actually five elections that are held at the same time:

1. the election of Lord Mayor – elected across the whole Council Area
2. the election of Five (5) Area Councillors – elected across the whole Council Area
3. the election of Two (2) Ward Councillors – elected for the North Ward
4. the election of Two (2) Ward Councillors – elected for the Central Ward
5. the election of Two (2) Ward Councillors – elected for the South Ward

Each of the above five elections is a separate election.

What is the difference between an Area Councillor and a Ward Councillor?

A Ward Councillor is elected from a defined geographical area called a Ward, whilst an Area Councillor is elected from the whole of the Council Area. There is no difference in the roles and responsibilities of an Area Councillor and a Ward Councillor. The legislation does not differentiate between the two but rather defines the role of a Council Member in stating that persons elected to Council represent the interest of the residents and ratepayers.

Why have both Area and Ward Councillors?

The mix of Ward & Area Councillors provides the best structure for local and area wide representation. It creates an opportunity for greater diversity of representation and most closely supports the principle that residents should receive adequate and fair representation

What is Council’s Voters Roll?

The Council’s voters roll is a list of the names of electors who are entitled to vote in the Council elections. Whilst the voters roll is also relevant in terms of who is entitled to stand for election, it is not the only criteria.

How do I make sure that I'm on Council's Voters Roll?

You will already be on Council’s voters roll if:

* you are on the House of Assembly Roll in the Adelaide City Council area, or
* you have registered with Council as a resident in the City, or
* you are an owner of rateable property within the City of Adelaide

You may already be on Council’s voters roll and will be entitled to enrol on Council’s voters roll if:

* you are an owner of property in the city
* an occupier of non-residential property in the city

If your name or address has changed recently, you will need to complete a new enrolment form to update your details.

When can I expect to receive my ballot papers?

All ballot material will be posted between the 25th and 29th October 2010.

I want to vote but I am away at the time the ballot papers are posted out, how can I get my ballot papers?

You can contact the Deputy Returning Officer at the State Electoral Office on 1300 655 232 and arrange to complete a re-issue form for ballot papers before your leave. This re-issue form will be actioned at least 14 days prior to the close of voting and new papers will be forwarded to the address that you nominate on your re-issue form.

Alternatively you can arrange for a friend or family member to forward your voting papers to the address where you will be located during the voting period.

What should I do if I don't receive any ballot papers?

You will need to contact the State Electoral Office on 1300 655 232 or the Adelaide City Council on 8203 7203 to organise the reissue of a new voting pack.

What will I receive with my ballot papers?

Dependent on your voting entitlement, most electors will receive a full voting pack consisting of ballot papers for Lord Mayor, Area Councillor and the Ward for which you have a voting entitlement. Some electors may receive additional voting pack which will contain a ward ballot paper only for any extra voting entitlement/s. you will also receive a ballot paper envelope to place your return ballot paper/s, a postal voting guide, candidate profile booklet and a reply paid envelope.

I own two (or more) properties but in different wards, what will i receive?

You will receive a full set of ballot papers being the Lord Myor, Area and Ward for your enrolled address. You will then receive a Ward ballot paper only for the other entitlement.

How can I tell which ballot paper is for which election?

Each election has a different colour ballot paper.

Lord Mayor - White
Area Councillor - Purple
North Ward Councillor - Yellow
Central Ward Councillor - Pink
South Ward Councillor - Aqua Green

How many times may I vote if I have more than one voting entitlement?

A natural person may only vote once in each election (max 5 votes). If you have more than one voting entitlement (i.e. own two or more properties, own property and have a business, more than one business), you must only vote once in each election. If you vote more than once in any election, all of your votes will be rejected.^Top

I live in one ward and have a business in another, can I vote twice?

You cannot vote twice in the same election. If you receive two full sets of ballot papers, one from your residential entitlement and one from either your business or a group, you cannot vote twice for the same election. You can vote once in the Lord Mayor election, once in the Area Councillor election, once in the Ward election and once in another Ward election, disregarding the extra ballot papers for the Lord Mayor and Area Councillors. If this situation occurs please contact either the Rates and Valuation team on 8203 7342 or the State Electoral Office on 1300 655 232 for further instructions.

You may complete your ballot papers as a resident and another member of the group or an officer of the business (Body Corporate) may exercise the other vote on behalf of your business or group. The definition of an officer is a director, manager, secretary or public officer of the body corporate and includes any other person who takes part in the management of the affairs of the body corporate.

I am on the House of Assembly Roll at my home in the North Ward of the Adelaide City Council area. Can I vote?

YES. You can vote for Lord Mayor, Area and Ward Councillors.

House of Assembly Voting Entitlement
Election	Can I Vote?
Lord Mayor	YES
Area Councillors	YES
North Ward Councillors	YES
Central Ward Councillors	NO
South Ward Councillors	NO

I am the sole owner/occupier of my home in the North Ward of the Adelaide City Council area. I am not on the House of Assembly Roll, can I vote?

YES. You can vote for Lord Mayor, Area and Ward Councillors.

House of Assembly Voting Entitlement
Election	Can I Vote?
Lord Mayor	YES
Area Councillors	YES
North Ward Councillors	YES
Central Ward Councillors	NO
South Ward Councillors	NO

I am a residential tenant in a house in the Central Ward of the Adelaide City Council area. Can I vote?

YES

if you enrol on the House of Assembly Roll by the close of rolls on 13 August 2010
if you register with Council as a resident by the close of rolls on 13 August 2010

you can vote for Lord Mayor, Area and Ward Councillors.

Resident Voting Entitlement
Election	Can I Vote?
Lord Mayor	YES
Area Councillors	YES
North Ward Councillors	NO
Central Ward Councillors	YES
South Ward Councillors	NO

I own one property in the Adelaide City Council area. I am the sole owner of the property located in the South Ward, but I don't live in the Adelaide City Council area. Can I vote?

YES. If you are the sole owner of a rateable property in the council area, then you will appear on the council's voters roll. You do not have to occupy the property.

Sole Owner Voting Entitlement
Election	Can I Vote?
Lord Mayor	YES
Area Councillors	YES
North Ward Councillors	NO
Central Ward Councillors	NO
South Ward Councillors	YES

I occupy one non-residential property in the Adelaide City Council area. I am the sole occupier of the property which is located in the Central Ward. Can I vote?

YES. If your name is recorded by the council as an occupier, then you will appear on the council’s voters roll.

Sole Occupier Voting - Entitlement (Non-Residential)
Election	Can I Vote?
Lord Mayor	YES
Area Councillors	YES
North Ward Councillors	NO
Central Ward Councillors	YES
South Ward Councillors	NO

I occupy part of one non-residential property in the Adelaide City Council area. I am the sole occupier of a floor in an office building located in the Central Ward. Can I vote?

YES. If your name is recorded by the council as an occupier, then you will appear on the council’s voters roll.

Sole Occupier Voting - Entitlement (non-residential)
Election	Can I Vote?
Lord Mayor	YES
Area Councillors	YES
North Ward Councillors	NO
Central Ward Councillors	YES
South Ward Councillors	NO

I own one property in the Adelaide City Council area. I am the sole owner of the property which is located in the South Ward. I know that I can vote. Can my tenant vote as well?

YES.

If the property is residential they will need to ensure that:
- they are enrolled on the House of Assembly Roll by the close of rolls on 13 August 2010
- they register with Council as a resident by the close of rolls on 13 August 2010.
If the property is non-residential they will need to ensure that council has their name recorded as the occupier of the property.

Occupier Voting Entitlement
Election	Can I Vote?
Lord Mayor	YES
Area Councillors	YES
North Ward Councillors	NO
Central Ward Councillors	NO
South Ward Councillors	YES

I own one property in the North Ward of the Adelaide City Council area. I jointly own the property with another person(s), do I get a vote?

YES. Joint owners comprising two or more persons (natural and/or corporate) are considered to be a ‘group’ for electoral purposes. The group will receive one voting entitlement. The members of the group will have to decide which of them will cast the vote.

Occupier Voting Entitlement
Election	Can I Vote?
Lord Mayor	YES
Area Councillors	YES
North Ward Councillors	NO
Central Ward Councillors	NO
South Ward Councillors	YES

My company owns one property in the Adelaide City Council area. The property is located in the North Ward. I do not live in the Council area. Does my company have an entitlement to vote?

YES. A ‘body corporate’ can be an elector on Council’s voters roll. In this case the body corporate has a voting entitlement as an owner. The vote must be cast by a natural person who is an officer of the company.

Body Corporate Owner - Voting Entitlement
Election	Can I Vote?
Lord Mayor	YES
Area Councillors	YES
North Ward Councillors	YES
Central Ward Councillors	NO
South Ward Councillors	NO

My company is the sole occupier of one property in the Adelaide City Council area. The property is located in the Central Ward. I do not live in the Council area. Does my company have an entitlement to vote?

YES. A ‘body corporate’ can be an elector on Council’s voters roll. In this case the body corporate has a voting entitlement as it is recorded as an occupier on council’s assessment record. The vote must be cast by a natural person who is an officer of the company.

Body Corporate Occupier - Voting Entitlement
Election	Can I Vote?
Lord Mayor	YES
Area Councillors	YES
North Ward Councillors	NO
Central Ward Councillors	YES
South Ward Councillors	NO

I am the sole owner of two properties in the Adelaide City Council area. Both are located in the North Ward. I don't live in the area. How many voting entitlements do I have?

ONCE IN EACH RELEVANT ELECTION. You will be eligible to vote once in each of three elections – Lord Mayor, Area Councillor, North Ward Councillor

Owner of Two Properties - Voting Entitlement
Election	Can I Vote?
Lord Mayor	YES
Area Councillors	YES
North Ward Councillors	YES
Central Ward Councillors	NO
South Ward Councillors	NO

I am the sole owner of two properties in the Adelaide City Council area. One is located in the North Ward, and one in the South Ward. I don't live in the area. How many times can I vote?

ONCE IN EACH RELEVANT ELECTION. You will be eligible to vote once in each of four elections – Lord Mayor, Area Councillor, North Ward Councillor and South Ward Councillor.

Owner of Two Properties - Voting Entitlement
Election	Can I Vote?
Lord Mayor	YES
Area Councillors	YES
North Ward Councillors	YES
Central Ward Councillors	NO
South Ward Councillors	YES

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