The Kiama byelection has attracted a large field of 13 candidates. Photo: NSW Electoral Commission.
The major political parties will bookend a long list of 13 candidates in the 13 September Kiama byelection.
The Greens candidate Tonia Gray has scored prime position on the ballot paper, with the Liberal’s Serena Copley to be listed second.
But Labor’s Katelin McInerney will be at the very end of the list.
The other candidates in ballot draw order are suspended Snowy Monaro Independent councillor Andrew Thaler, Independent candidate Roger Woodward, Don Fuggle from the Legalise Cannabis Party, Ken Davis from the Sustainable Australia Party, Independent Anita Cotton, Independent Cyrille Jeufo Keuheu, Felix Nelson from Shooters, Fishers and Farmers, Libertarian Party candidate Joshua Beer, Animal Justice Party’s Ellie Robertson and Independent Kate Dezarnaulds.
Early voting centres will be open from Saturday 6 September, with applications for postal voting closing on Monday 8 September.
There are a range of criteria which could make a voter eligible for early or postal voting including being outside of NSW on election day, travelling or working through the voting hours on election day, serious illness, having a disability, carer responsibilities or religious reasons which are listed on the NSW Electoral Commission website.
Telephone assisted voting is also available for eligible electors who are blind or have low vision.
On the ballot paper, voters are only required to put a number 1 next to their first choice, however they can continue to list their preferences consecutively from 2 to as many as 13. It is not a requirement to fill all boxes.
A ballot paper can be disregarded if the vote is informal, which could occur from using a combination of numbers and symbols on the one page, unclear intentions, multiple 1s or no markings at all.
Examples of formal and informal votes are available on the NSW Electoral Commission website.
All residents 18 years or older enrolled in the Kiama electorate are required to vote in the byelection.
Voting locations and more details on how to vote and supports available are on the NSW Election Commission website Kiama byelection page.
Region Illawarra will profile all candidates in the days leading up to the byelection.
