We've had to vote in the Council elections this week. I don't remember ever doing this before but, apparently, it has only just become compulsory. Our Council area covers 5 or 6 towns like Longford, a number of smaller villages and large areas of farmland. There have been signs everywhere for weeks and our letterbox has been stuffed with brightly-coloured flyers.
The process is interesting: we received our ballot papers in the mail with instructions on what to do. There were three papers: for Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Councillor and a little booklet with details of some of the candidates. I imagine those who were not mentioned had missed the deadline. Our candidates contained a retired Federal politician, an ex-Tasmanian Premier, various farmers, small business people, hopefuls with a variety of interests, and two Real Estate Agents.
I had an idea that Real Estate Agents were barred from sitting on Council; it would be like voting the fox onto the Chicken House Committee - an obvious conflict of interest. However, there they were.
We filled in our papers, sealed them in the envelope, signed a tear-off slip and posted them back.
I imagine, when they arrive at the counting house, the tear-off slips will be removed, we'll be crossed off the rolls and the votes will be counted. The Government has been advertising for people to help with the count but all you need to do is be fast on a computer using only the keypad - a very narrow skill set.
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