Mark at least five or it doesn’t count

THE New South Wales Electoral Commission has confirmed any votes in the Upper Hunter Shire election must have a minimum of five candidates marked, to be a valid vote.

While in the State election voters can simply select one candidate, the Local Government elections are different and the minimum number varies in each local government area.

In the Upper Hunter Shire Council there are 12 candidates running, 9 Councillor positions available and a minimum of five candidates must be marked on the ballot form for it to be a valid vote. In other local government areas, they may have a different number as the minimum.

Any votes which do not have at least five names marked on the ballot paper are deemed invalid and the vote will be completely discounted.