Somerset Regional Council will write to the Minister for Local Government and Water to request a postal ballot for the upcoming by-election.
Council advised the Electoral Commission of Queensland (ECQ) of a vacant Councillor position following former Councillor Kylee Isidro’s resignation announcement on 18 June.
Under the Local Government Act 2009, if a vacancy occurs between the first and third anniversary of the local government election, it must be filled by a by-election.
Somerset Mayor Jason Wendt said Council has the option of an attendance election or a postal ballot.
“Given the largest ECQ expense is for wages associated with counting votes and resourcing polling stations, we expect a postal ballot would be the cheaper option,” Cr Wendt said.
The expenses associated with the by-election were not accounted for in Council’s 2025-2026 Budget.
“A budget review will likely be required during this fiscal cycle,” Cr Wendt said.
“We don’t know the exact cost of running the by-election, this will be determined by the ECQ.
“However, the 2024 local government election cost Council $199,814.
“We want to make this process as simple and cost-effective as possible for our residents, who have already had local, State and Federal elections in the past two years.
“A postal ballot will help address voter fatigue with a convenient way for voters to participate without attending polling stations in person.”
