Cr Andrew Banfield has a theory about scoring top spot on the Goulburn Mulwaree ballot paper for the December 4 council election.
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"If I've got the top position, (Cr) Leah Ferrara has the next best because people sometimes vote from the bottom up," he quipped.
On a more serious note, he told The Post he was excited about securing "poll position" which he believed had definite advantages if voters simply voted according to the ballot order.
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Returning officer Lars Gudiksen drew the order at the Goulburn returning office on Thursday morning after a lengthy statewide delay.
The order is:
- Andrew Banfield
- Adam Milani
- Margaret O'Neill
- Michael Prevedello
- Carol James
- Daniel Strickland
- Steve Ruddell
- Andy Wood (Shooters, Fishers and Farmers party)
- Peter Walker
- Tim Dally
- Bob Kirk
- Leah Ferrara (The Greens)
A Labor ticket comprising Jason Shepherd, Anna Wurth-Crawford, Danielle Marsden-Ballard, Warren Murray and Nathan Smith in that order, will be listed separately on the ballot paper.
Several candidates including Dan Strickland, Steve Ruddell and current deputy mayor Peter Walker attended the draw, although some had to leave due to the delay and prior appointments.
Mr Gudiksen said the nine candidates with the highest votes would be elected, although contenders also had the option of coming up with preferences.
He did not expect the results to be known that weekend because postal and ivotes could take a week to process. Pre-poll voting at the returning office at 133 Bourke Street (opposite the Civic Centre) will open on November 22 from 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday and Saturday 9am to 5pm.
"We are encouraging people to vote early," Mr Gudiksen said.
The returning office will also handle the Yass Valley and Upper Lachlan Shire election, thereby splitting costs across the three councils.
This year, candidates and supporters must keep a 100 metre distance from the polling place if handing out campaign material. Mr Gudiksen said this was due to COVID restrictions and would be policed.
Cr Banfield said he and others he knew wouldn't bother printing how to vote cards, given the restriction.
"No one (voters) will park 100 metres away so there's really no point. You will get the odd amount of foot traffic," he said.
Instead, candidates can leave corflutes at the polling station.
In Goulburn Mulwaree, polling stations will be located at:
- Bradfordville Public School
- Bungonia Hall
- Goulburn East Public School
- Goulburn High School
- Goulburn Scout Hall, corner of Addison and Bourke Streets
- Uniting Church Hall, Goldsmith Street, Goulburn
- Goulburn West Public School
- Marulan Hall
- Saint Jospeph's Primary School, Goulburn
- Tallong Hall
- Tarago Hall
There are 22,200 eligible voters in Goulburn Mulwaree.
Upper Lachlan has 6263 voters. The ballot order is:
- Susan Reynolds
- Nathan McDonald
- Colin Davis
- John Searl
- Lauren Woodbridge
- Pam Kensit
- Mandy McDonald
- Darren O'Brien
- Joanne Marshall
- Graham Dyer
- John Stafford
- Paul Culhane
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