State Government Election
Local Government Election
Election Signage Guidelines

State Government Election

For information about the state government elections please visit Electoral Commission of Queensland (ECQ).

Local Government Election

Voting in the 2020 local government elections closed at 6pm on Saturday, 28 March 2020.

Polling booths were open between 8am to 6pm on election day, 28 March 2020.

A range of health protection measures were in place at polling booths to address the impact of COVID-19 based on advice from Queensland’s Chief Health Officer. All voters were instructed to:

• practise good hand and respiratory hygiene
• observe social distancing measures and avoid handshakes
• bring Voter Information Cards to assist being marked off the electoral roll
• bring a pen or pencil.

Read more about the ECQ’s COVID-19 response.

Results

Under legislation, the counting of votes is undertaken in a number of stages:

• The preliminary count, conducted following the close of polls is an unofficial count of results undertaken at a polling booth level. Not all votes, such as postal votes and most of the votes cast during the early voting period, are counted during the preliminary count.
• The official count commences from Sunday (commencement times vary depending on individual locations) under the supervision of the relevant Returning Officer. The preliminary count is always counted again as part of the official count and declaration and postal vote scrutiny commences.

Depending on the number and composition of votes cast in an election, the official count process can take up to two weeks.  The large number of postal votes sent in the local government elections (approximately 570,000) and new social distancing measures to be applied during the scrutineering process are expected to extend the counting process.

Election Results

Election Signage Guidelines

Candidates for local government, State or Federal elections are encouraged to review and understand Gladstone Regional Council’s Election Signage Guidelines when preparing their individual campaigns.   

These guidelines have been developed to ensure a consistent approach throughout the region and further support the requirements of the Department of Transport and Main Roads (DTMR) in relation to the construction, placement and location of election signage. 

Our responsibility 

Pursuant to section 36 of the Local Government Act 2009 (Qld), Gladstone Regional Council cannot make any local laws to regulate election signage. 

However, in the interest of balancing candidates needs and community expectation, candidates for election are requested to understand and comply with these guidelines.  

Election signage 

Election signage is considered as any free-standing advertising device identifying candidates and/or promoting a political party at local, state or federal government elections.  

All election signage content is regulated by the relevant Electoral Commission and must be authorised for the duration of the election period.  

Campaigning  

• Candidates can erect election signage following the publication of the Notice of Election.  
• Candidates are requested to remove election signage within 1 week of the election polling date. 

Signage specifications 

Candidates are requested to adhere to the following election signage specifications when constructing signs:  

• Election signs cannot be greater than 0.6m2; 
• The sign, timber stake and/or frame needs to be made from materials that are designed to be easily broken; 
• Timber stake and/or frames must have a cross section measurement up to 55mm x 25mm; and 
• Election signs cannot rotate, be illuminated or use reflective or fluorescent materials.  

Community Safety 

In the interests of community safety, the placement of election signage must ensure that:  

• All road users including pedestrians, cyclists and motorists are not distracted and have a clear line of sight; 
• Pedestrian and vehicular movements are not impeded; 
• Official road signs are not obscured; 

DTMR is responsible for the management of election signs located on state-controlled roads, however Council reserves the right to immediately remove any election sign/s that pose an immediate risk to public safety; 

• Election signs are located at least 3.5m from the edge of the nearest traffic lane on roads where the speed limit is 80km/hr or less; 
• Election signs are located at least 6m from the edge of the nearest traffic lane on roads where the speed limit is over 80km/hr; 
• Election signs are not located on centre medians or roundabouts; 
• Election signs must not protrude over the road This also includes campaigners holding or waving election signs; 
• Community members of all ages and abilities, including cyclists, must not be obstructed by election signage; 
• Election signs are not fastening to trees or vegetation in public parks or facilities; 
• Election signs are not placed on Council property or infrastructure including buildings, fences, traffic lights, signs, guideposts and guardrails; and 
• Election signs are placed as close as possible to the property boundary.  

Candidates are reminded that they are responsible and liable for any claims arising from the placement of election signage. 

Further information  

For further information regarding Election Signage please visit www.ecq.qld.gov.au or www.tmr.qld.gov.au. 

More information

For information about the process for conducting the election, counting votes and arriving at the election result, please visit Electoral Commission of Queensland (ECQ)