Elections

Permitted Electoral Signage Period Open: Tuesday, 1 September

Nominations Open: Monday, 7 September @ 9am

Enrolment Closes: Thursday, 10 September @ 6pm

Nominations Close: Monday, 21 September @ 12 noon

Nominations Announced: Tuesday, 22 September @ 12 noon

Ballot Packs sent via post: from Monday, 5 October

Close of Polls: Tuesday, 27 October @ 2pm

Counting Commences: from Wednesday, 28 October @ 9am

Electoral Signage Removal: within 7 days of 27 October

If you wish to stand as a candidate, nominations open at 9 am on Monday 7 September 2026, and close at 12 noon on Monday 21 September 2026.

Information is available to support candidates and provide guidance on the rules that must be followed during the election period.

The information page (click on the link below) includes the Tasmanian Electoral Commission candidate handbook, relevant forms, and the new candidate statement and photograph requirements.

Completed nomination forms must be lodged with the returning officer or appointed electoral officer at the relevant council before the closing time. Forms can be lodged in person, by email, fax or post before 12 noon on Monday 21 September 2026.

The Electoral Commission's preferred method for lodging nomination forms is by email: nominations@tec.tas.gov.au

Council's appointed electoral officer at Dorset Council is the Executive Assistant, Sarah Forsyth.

Late nominations cannot be accepted.

Information for candidates

Election signs do not require planning approval under Table C1.4 of the Tasmanian Planning Scheme, provided they comply with all of the following requirements:

The sign must not encroach onto any road or other public land;

The sign must have a maximum area of 1.5 m²;

The sign must not be erected more than 8 weeks before polling day*; and

The sign must be removed within 7 days after polling day+.

* being from 1 September 2026

+ last day being 27 October 2026

Any election sign that does not comply with the above standards, including sign murals comprising multiple signs or billboard-style signs, generally requires a planning permit under the Land Use Planning and Approvals Act 1993.

Council does not permit election campaign signs or material (including signs mounted on trailers) on land owned or administered by Council. Election signs must not be erected on Council roads, road reserves, nature strips, public parks or any other land under Council's care or control. 

Candidates should also note that election signs are not permitted on other public land, including Crown land, State Highways, National Parks and Reserves, electricity poles unless authorised by the relevant land manager.

In accordance with section 48A of the Land Use Planning and Approvals Act 1993, Council may remove election signs erected on land administered by Council or other public land. Removed signs will be available for collection within 14-days and any costs associated with their removal may be recovered from the owner of the sign.

Candidates are responsible for ensuring that election signs are placed only with the permission of the landowner or lawful occupier, are wholly contained within the boundaries of that property, and meet all traffic rules and safety restrictions. If in doubt, do not erect the sign until permission has been obtained and compliance with the Planning Scheme or other relevant legislation has been confirmed. 

If you see signage that may not meet these requirements, please report it to Council and include a photo, date, time and location.

 Email: development@dorset.tas.gov.au  (Subject: 2026 Election Signage)

 In person: Council Offices, 3 Ellenor Street, Scottsdale

Everyone on the State roll is automatically enrolled and required to vote in local government elections.

Moved recently? Update your details with the Australian Electoral Commission. Rolls will close at 6pm Thursday 10 September 2026.

General Manager's Roll Eligibility

You are also eligible to be on the local government roll if:

you own or occupy land in a municipal area different from where you are enrolled on the state electoral roll, or

you are the nominated representative of a corporate body which owns or occupies land in the municipal area.

live in Dorset but aren't enrolled on the State electoral roll, including non-Australian citizens

To enrol under these special provisions you need to complete the appropriate enrolment form (see downloads below) and return it to Dorset Council:

Local Government enrolment form for owner/occupiers, or

Local Government enrolment form for corporate bodies

All forms are available from the Council Offices or by visiting the Electoral Office of Tasmania Website.
 

For further information or to ensure your details are correct, please contact the Council Offices on 03 6352 6500 or email dorset@dorset.tas.gov.au

Voting Eligibility and Enrolment

Local government elections in Tasmania are conducted by post.

This means there is a 'polling period' rather than one polling day, as there is for state parliamentary elections. Every elector receives their own postal ballot pack at their enrolled address. You then have around three weeks to complete and post your vote back to the returning officer for your council.

Your ballot pack

During the polling period, keep an eye on your letterbox for your ballot pack.

Your ballot pack contains:

ballot paper(s)

a booklet containing candidate statements and voting instructions

a ballot paper envelope (this envelope must be signed by the elector to ensure ballot security), and

a reply paid envelope for returning your ballot paper envelope which contains your completed ballot paper (voting won’t even cost a stamp)

Local Government voting