Wikipedia

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]

1974 New South Wales local elections
← 1971 21 September 1974 1977 →

The Labor Party suffered swings away from them across the state, losing control of councils including Blacktown, Sutherland and Wollongong.[4][5]

Electoral system

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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

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  1. ^ "September council elections uncertain". The Canberra Times. 11 January 1974. p. 3. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
  2. ^ "LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS". Nota. 1 August 1974. p. 4. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
  3. ^ "COMMUNISTS STAND IN LOCAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS". Tribune. 20 August 1974. p. 12. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
  4. ^ "POOR TURNOUT OF VOTERS IN ELECTIONS". The Canberra Times. 23 September 1974. p. 3. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
  5. ^ Davidson, Gay (24 September 1974). "Where the Labor Party went astray". The Canberra Times. p. 2. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
  6. ^ "Declaration of the poll". The Broadcaster. 27 September 1977. p. 6. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
  7. ^ 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.
  8. ^ "Local Govt. Elections". Sawtell Guardian. 23 May 1974. p. 1. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
  9. ^ "Interest in Triennial Elections". Sawtell Guardian. 15 August 1974. p. 1. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
  10. ^ "No vote for 18-year-olds". Windsor and Richmond Gazette. 16 June 1971. p. 1. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
  11. ^ "Votes-at-18 Bill 'historic'". Sydney Morning Herald. 1 March 1973. Archived from the original on 19 March 2023. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
  12. ^ "COUNCIL VOTING IS COMPULSORY". The Broadcaster. 27 July 1976. p. 3. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
  13. ^ "September council elections". The Broadcaster. 19 April 1977. p. 6. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
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