Elections & voting
NSW holds local government elections every four years. Voting is compulsory for enrolled residents, so it's worth knowing the date and keeping your enrolment up to date.
New to these terms? Read them in plain English
- Ward
- A subdivision of a council area that elects its own councillors.
- How the mayor is chosen
- Either elected directly by voters, or chosen by the councillors.
- Special Rate Variation (SRV)
- Permission for a council to raise rates by more than the peg.
- NSW Electoral Commission (NSWEC)
- Runs council elections and publishes the official results.
- Next ordinary election
- Saturday 9 September 2028
- Last election
- 14 September 2024The Central Coast returned to elected councillors at this election after four years in administration.
- How often
- Every 4 years (the second Saturday of September)
- How the Central Coast votes
- 5 wards, 15 councillors; Mayor elected by councillorsVoters elect three councillors for their ward. From 2028 this becomes 9 councillors across 3 wards, following a 2024 referendum.
- Voting
- Compulsory for enrolled residentsNot voting can result in a fine.
- Enrol / check enrolment
- NSW Electoral Commission
Sources — check it yourself
Figures are current as at the dates shown and may change — always confirm with the linked source. See the notice at the bottom of the page for full details and how to report a correction.