The council elections are drawing closer and provisions will help ensure voters have their say while staying COVID-safe.
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There have been changes to state government regulations ahead of the September 4 council election.
The updated electoral regulations allow for an online iVote option under similar circumstances to postal voting, broadening of pre-poll eligibility to all electors and an expansion of postal voting eligibility.
The amendments provide scope for restrictions on campaign posters and handing out electoral materials where these restrictions are necessary for public health reasons.
Local Government NSW president Linda Scott said resident safety remained the number one priority for councils, and she was confident they could meet this priority and still hold fair and transparent elections.
"The new rules focus on ensuring COVID-safe voting, which gives every eligible member of the community an opportunity to elect the council of their choice," she said.
"I have met with the NSW Electoral Commission and Office of Local Government this month to confirm councils' commitment to safe, transparent and accessible elections."
Voters in the Port Macquarie-Hastings will go to the polls on September 4 to elect councillors and the mayor for the next term.
The council recently staged candidate information sessions to give potential candidates a deeper understanding of what it takes to represent their community.
A water fluoridation poll, which is non-compulsory and non-binding, will go ahead in conjunction with the September local government election.
The local government elections were due to be held in 2020 but were postponed due to the impacts of the COVID health pandemic.
Who is running for Port Macquarie-Hastings Council so far?
Mayor Peta Pinson to recontest council leadership on a group ticket
Mayor Peta Pinson will lead a group ticket at the September local government elections as she prepares for another tilt at the top job.
She will run in 2021 for the position of mayor, as well as on a group ticket for the role of councillor, with Cr Sharon Griffiths, Danielle Maltman and Adam Roberts.
The team said its agenda will focus on delivering council's core services as a priority and to embark on an infrastructure, traffic management and broad-based beautification initiative for the region.
The Greens launch a ticket in a bid for voice on council
THE Greens will run a ticket at the September local government elections.
Lauren Edwards is leading the charge for the party. She will run on a ticket alongside Stuart Watson, Les Mitchell and Drusi Megget.
If elected as Greens councillors, they will act for the community on all matters with four major local objectives - climate action, improved public transport and transport alternatives, biodiversity and social equality.
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