Elise Archer,Attorney-General
The 2020 Legislative Council Elections for the divisions of Huon and Rosevears are an essential part of Tasmania's democratic system.
Significant measures will be put in place to maintain public safety during the upcoming Legislative Council elections and to ensure appropriate measures are applied and processes changed, where needed, to minimise any risk of coronavirus infection.
The Constitution Act 1934 provides that the poll can be held on a Saturday in the month of May upon the issuing of a proclamation by the Governor. In light of the COVID-19 outbreak and at the request of the Tasmanian Electoral Commission (TEC), Government will seek to recommend to the Governor that the 2020 Legislative Council elections be now held on Saturday, 30 May 2020.
The TEC Commissioner advises that this later date will allow the TEC to take a range of steps to assist voters to a postal vote or pre-poll vote, should they wish.
The TEC has advised that it will write to every Huon and Rosevears elector enrolled as at 30 March 2020 to inform them of the continuation of the election and the new date. All electors will also be provided a postal vote application and reply paid envelope so that those who want to can immediately apply for a postal vote.
The new date will also allow for extended pre-polling days to reduce any significant gathering of voters at polling booths.
The TEC will also be introducing strong social distancing measures and personal hygiene practices in accordance with public health requirements for all staff and voters at polling booths, including increasing distances between voting booths and provision of additional pencils and hand sanitiser. Voters could also bring their own pencils if they wish.
I will continue to take the best and most up to date advice from the public health experts, as well as the TEC, as these important elections progress.
