LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTORAL ACT 2011 - SECT 87 Formal and informal ballot papers—first-past-the-post voting

LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTORAL ACT 2011 - SECT 87

87 Formal and informal ballot papers—first-past-the-post voting

(1) This section applies to an election if the system of voting is first-past-the-post voting.

(2) A ballot paper has effect as recording a vote in the election only if the ballot paper—

(a) is completed under section 84 ; and

(b) does not contain any writing or mark (other than as permitted by this Act) by which the elector can, in the returning officer’s opinion, be identified; and

(c) has been put into a ballot box as required by this Act.

(3) Also, if the ballot paper is sealed in a declaration envelope, as required by this Act, the envelope must have been signed, and the signature witnessed, as required by section 72 .

(4) Also, if the ballot paper is sealed in a declaration envelope as a postal vote—

(a) the ballot paper must be received by the returning officer no later than 10 days after polling day; and

(b) for an elector who made a signed application under section 79 or 81 to cast a postal vote in the election—the signature on the declaration envelope must match the elector’s signature on the application.

(5) A ballot paper that complies with section 84 must not be rejected merely because it indicates the elector’s intention to vote for a number of candidates greater than the number to be elected.

(6) A ballot paper that has effect to record a vote under this section is a formal ballot paper.

(7) A ballot paper that has no effect to record a vote under this section is an informal ballot paper.