How to Vote in Queensland Elections
Here we detail the three types of State voting; Mayoral, Local Council* and State:
- The Mayoral (Councillor) ballot is optional preferential (only need to number ONE box)
- The Local Division (Council) ballot paper requires a minimum of two preferences (i.e. number at least TWO boxes)*
- State ballots require full preferential voting (FPV), i.e., number EVERY box on the ballot.
*A local government area can be either: undivided, where the councillors are elected by all voters in that area, or. divided, where the council is divided into wards (divisions), from which an equal number of councillors are elected for each ward.
Voter Information Card
If you are enrolled to vote in Queensland you will receive a Voter Information Card in the mail (and electronically** if you enrolled with an email address) from the Electoral Commission Queensland (ECQ), prior to the start of early voting.
**Electronic voter information cards
If you enrolled to vote in Queensland and included your email address on the electoral roll you will also receive an electronic Voter Information Card. This version works the same way and has a QR code unique to you. When you arrive to vote, you can show this to election staff. You can bring either card with you when you vote, whichever you prefer.
Preferences. What are they?
Current Register of Political Parties
QEC Current Register of Political Parties
Do YOUR Homework (know who and what you are voting for). The next Queensland State Election will occur in October, 2024. Where do the other political parties stand on cannabis or other illegal substances? Well, here’s a quick rundown in the run-up to the 2024 Queensland State Election. Being proactive is preferable to being reactive, so now’s the time to ensure your State representative/s know cannabis re-legalisation IS an important issue, at a state level.
(as @ 17 April, 2024)
Animal Justice Party (Qld) – Supports decriminalising use and for regulations to enable lawful, safe supply.
Queensland Greens – State has same policies as federal, “The state greens and federal greens are united on legalising recreational use for adults”.
Queensland Katter’s Australian Party (KAP)
Federal: November, 2021 – “Tougher Drug Laws”. Bob Katter not pro-legalisation; joked in parliament, “I didn’t know marijuana was legal in Canberra and I can now understand why the country has gone to pot”.
Queensland Labor – State Platform 2021 (NOT adopted by government) – ‘Legalise possession of small quantities of cannabis for personal use only’. Pg 73
Liberal National Party (of Queensland) – May, 2022 – “Does not support any measure that could imply that illicit drugs are safe or may increase their availability or consumption … Does not support the legalisation, decriminalisation and/or use of any quantity of illicit drugs … a high-risk activity and has the potential to cause significant health, social and economic harms. While many Australians may view cannabis as harmless, 20% of Australia’s drug and alcohol treatment services are being provided to people who say cannabis is their principal drug of concern”.
November, 2021 – Conservative view on cannabis; should remain illicit/illegal drug.
Federal: 2019 – Anti-cannabis.
Pauline Hanson’s One Nation (Queensland Division) – February, 2024 – One Nation Chief of Staff James Ashby says legalising cannabis for recreational use is a “bad recipe” for Australia. “I’ve always advocated for the use of medicinal cannabis when it comes to people who’ve got chronic illness, where they’re failing in life in the sense that they’re going to die of cancer or something like that” he said. “It’s been proven to work very well. But opening this full slather and allowing people to just have a smoke whenever they choose – I’ve seen the consequences of this with schoolmates that I went to school with”.
May, 2022 – Recognised “whole-plant medicinal cannabis continues to act as a natural proven alternative for chronic pain relief and other serious health symptoms”. Previously voiced objection to legalising cannabis and rejected the term recreational. “Sport is recreational, smoking marijuana is not”.
Federal: Anti-Cannabis in 2019, except for pHARMa. Party stated, “Upholds the right of Australians to access medical cannabis, that may give them quality of life and life itself”. However, it has a history of blocking motions like the 2017 bid to fast-track medicinal cannabis for the terminally ill.
Election Timetable
The timetable for the 2024 Queensland local government elections is set in accordance with the Local Government Electoral Act 2011. The elections officially commenced following publication of the notice of election.
- Notice of election – Monday, 29 January 2024
- Postal vote applications – Monday, 29 January 2024 to 7pm on Monday, 4 March 2024
- Candidate nominations – Monday, 29 January 2024 to 12 noon on Tuesday, 13 February 2024
- Ballot paper order draw – 10am on Wednesday, 14 February 2024
- Early voting* – Monday, 4 March to Friday, 15 March 2024 (excluding the weekend)
*Early voting times will vary depending on location. Check early voting dates, times and locations. - Election day* – Saturday, 16 March 2024.
*All polling booths will be open from 8am to 6pm. - Postal vote completion deadline – 6pm Saturday, 16 March 2024
- Postal vote return deadline – Tuesday, 26 March 2024
Full Preferential Voting
Failure to Vote
In Queensland elections, if you DO NOT vote you could be fined. You will first receive an Apparent Failure to Vote Notice (see below). If you do not respond, you are likely to receive an Infringement Notice. This is the fine for not voting. If the fine is not paid, you may be referred to the State Penalties Enforcement Registry (SPER) for further action and additional charges may apply. The current penalty unit value in Queensland is $154.80 (from 1 July 2023).
Authorised by Suzette Luyken, 51 Cullen St Nimbin NSW 2480