1974 New South Wales local elections
 | ||
| ||
|
| ||
The 1974 New South Wales local elections were held on 21 September 1974 to elect the councils of the local government areas (LGAs) of New South Wales, Australia.[1][2][3]
The Labor Party suffered swings away from them across the state, losing control of councils including Blacktown, Sutherland and Wollongong.[4][5]
Electoral system
[edit]Like at state elections, New South Wales local elections use optional preferential voting.[6] The majority of mayors are elected by councillors at council meetings, although some are directly-elected.[7]
Unlike at state and federal elections, voting was not compulsory.[8][9] This was the first time 18-year-olds were able to vote at New South Wales local elections, after the Whitlam federal government lowered the voting age from 21 in 1973.[10][11] This was also final time voting was optional, with compulsory voting reintroduced in 1977.[12][13]
References
[edit]- ^ "September council elections uncertain". The Canberra Times. 11 January 1974. p. 3. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
- ^ "LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS". Nota. 1 August 1974. p. 4. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
- ^ "COMMUNISTS STAND IN LOCAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS". Tribune. 20 August 1974. p. 12. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
- ^ "POOR TURNOUT OF VOTERS IN ELECTIONS". The Canberra Times. 23 September 1974. p. 3. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
- ^ Davidson, Gay (24 September 1974). "Where the Labor Party went astray". The Canberra Times. p. 2. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
- ^ "Declaration of the poll". The Broadcaster. 27 September 1977. p. 6. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
- ^ Raue, Ben (7 May 2023). "Directly electing mayors – a livestream discussion". The Tally Room. Archived from the original on 15 May 2024. Retrieved 15 September 2024.
- ^ "Local Govt. Elections". Sawtell Guardian. 23 May 1974. p. 1. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
- ^ "Interest in Triennial Elections". Sawtell Guardian. 15 August 1974. p. 1. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
- ^ "No vote for 18-year-olds". Windsor and Richmond Gazette. 16 June 1971. p. 1. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
- ^ "Votes-at-18 Bill 'historic'". Sydney Morning Herald. 1 March 1973. Archived from the original on 19 March 2023. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
- ^ "COUNCIL VOTING IS COMPULSORY". The Broadcaster. 27 July 1976. p. 3. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
- ^ "September council elections". The Broadcaster. 19 April 1977. p. 6. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
