1 00:00:00,160 --> 00:00:03,239 Speaker 1: Joining me live in the studio is the Northern Territory 2 00:00:03,320 --> 00:00:04,320 Speaker 1: Selectoral Commissioner. 3 00:00:04,360 --> 00:00:06,160 Speaker 2: I Logan. I thank good morning to you. 4 00:00:06,400 --> 00:00:08,000 Speaker 3: How are you good morning, Katie. 5 00:00:08,160 --> 00:00:11,360 Speaker 1: Now, obviously we are going to the polls this weekend 6 00:00:11,440 --> 00:00:15,840 Speaker 1: for our council election, our local council elections. Have we 7 00:00:15,920 --> 00:00:18,239 Speaker 1: had a good voter turnout so far when it comes 8 00:00:18,239 --> 00:00:19,120 Speaker 1: to early voting. 9 00:00:19,720 --> 00:00:22,599 Speaker 3: I think Katie, we had the lockdown last week and 10 00:00:22,600 --> 00:00:25,759 Speaker 3: certainly lost three days and four days in Catherine, but 11 00:00:25,840 --> 00:00:27,720 Speaker 3: the data is telling us in terms of the urban 12 00:00:27,760 --> 00:00:29,960 Speaker 3: areas that really hasn't made too much of a difference. 13 00:00:30,640 --> 00:00:33,240 Speaker 3: You know, we've had over close to thirty thousand votes 14 00:00:33,320 --> 00:00:37,000 Speaker 3: taken and if you compare that to twenty seventeen where 15 00:00:37,040 --> 00:00:39,839 Speaker 3: Palmerston wasn't included in that election because it was done separately, 16 00:00:40,080 --> 00:00:43,600 Speaker 3: you know we're ahead. Okay, yeah, But I think the 17 00:00:43,640 --> 00:00:45,879 Speaker 3: message that I want to get out to everybody is 18 00:00:45,920 --> 00:00:49,640 Speaker 3: don't forget to vote. And on Saturday you need to 19 00:00:49,720 --> 00:00:54,040 Speaker 3: vote within your council area. So if you're in Palmerston 20 00:00:54,080 --> 00:00:57,080 Speaker 3: and going to the markets, don't vote at prapp vote 21 00:00:57,080 --> 00:00:59,720 Speaker 3: at home before you before you go to the markets. 22 00:01:00,120 --> 00:01:04,480 Speaker 3: And you know, if that's inconvenient at all the early 23 00:01:04,560 --> 00:01:07,440 Speaker 3: voting centers. You can vote anywhere, So if you preferred 24 00:01:07,440 --> 00:01:09,840 Speaker 3: to do that and then just make some time to 25 00:01:10,280 --> 00:01:13,360 Speaker 3: vote either today or tomorrow, knowing that those early voting 26 00:01:13,400 --> 00:01:15,279 Speaker 3: centers are open till six pm. 27 00:01:15,680 --> 00:01:17,840 Speaker 1: Now, where can we vote? I know you probably can't 28 00:01:17,920 --> 00:01:20,360 Speaker 1: run through every single location. I know there'll be plenty 29 00:01:20,400 --> 00:01:22,040 Speaker 1: of them. But where are some of those key areas 30 00:01:22,080 --> 00:01:23,120 Speaker 1: where we can vote. 31 00:01:23,720 --> 00:01:26,840 Speaker 3: You can vote at the Darwin Entertainment Center. You can 32 00:01:26,920 --> 00:01:30,959 Speaker 3: vote at Casuarina Library, you can vote at Gateway and 33 00:01:31,040 --> 00:01:35,280 Speaker 3: Palmston Shopping Center. You can vote at Koler Linga and 34 00:01:35,319 --> 00:01:39,720 Speaker 3: you can vote at the Catherine Shopping Center. They're the 35 00:01:39,720 --> 00:01:43,679 Speaker 3: early voting centers for the election day voting centers. Please 36 00:01:43,800 --> 00:01:47,039 Speaker 3: just go to our website, the NTC website, and that'll 37 00:01:47,080 --> 00:01:51,120 Speaker 3: list all the voting centers. We'll also have those on 38 00:01:51,160 --> 00:01:52,200 Speaker 3: the paper on Saturday. 39 00:01:52,400 --> 00:01:55,400 Speaker 2: Now, how did that lockdown impact things? In? Did it 40 00:01:55,480 --> 00:01:56,680 Speaker 2: make much of a difference? 41 00:01:57,520 --> 00:01:59,840 Speaker 3: Look, it certainly made a difference in terms of the 42 00:02:00,000 --> 00:02:02,800 Speaker 3: remote areas where there were ten communities that we were 43 00:02:02,800 --> 00:02:04,480 Speaker 3: going to poll in that first week and we've had 44 00:02:04,520 --> 00:02:07,840 Speaker 3: to reschedule, so you know, we'll have to look at 45 00:02:07,840 --> 00:02:12,240 Speaker 3: that data eventually and see what impact that that has had. 46 00:02:12,480 --> 00:02:16,519 Speaker 3: But in terms of early voting in urban areas, you know, 47 00:02:16,560 --> 00:02:19,120 Speaker 3: the data is telling us there hasn't been too much 48 00:02:19,160 --> 00:02:21,680 Speaker 3: of an impact. And fortunately for us it was in 49 00:02:21,720 --> 00:02:23,959 Speaker 3: the first week of early voting rather than the second week, 50 00:02:24,000 --> 00:02:26,600 Speaker 3: because it certainly would have been more problematic if it. 51 00:02:26,520 --> 00:02:27,120 Speaker 2: Was this week. 52 00:02:27,480 --> 00:02:30,400 Speaker 1: Now some people getting in contact with us about those 53 00:02:30,520 --> 00:02:34,560 Speaker 1: unincorporated areas wondering, you know, I know we've discussed this before, 54 00:02:34,639 --> 00:02:37,280 Speaker 1: but wondering about voting in those unincorporated areas. 55 00:02:37,400 --> 00:02:41,040 Speaker 3: So if you're in an unincorporated area which includes the Waterfront, 56 00:02:41,080 --> 00:02:46,040 Speaker 3: includes North Crest, includes Dundee, then you're not in a 57 00:02:46,080 --> 00:02:49,280 Speaker 3: local government area and you do not vote at the 58 00:02:49,320 --> 00:02:52,079 Speaker 3: election on the weekend. But let me say to those 59 00:02:52,120 --> 00:02:55,160 Speaker 3: electors out at Dundee that they will vote at the 60 00:02:55,560 --> 00:02:59,040 Speaker 3: upcoming daily by election. So again, if they go to 61 00:02:59,280 --> 00:03:03,120 Speaker 3: the NTC website, you'll see those details and we'll have 62 00:03:03,160 --> 00:03:06,919 Speaker 3: early voting services for the daily by election that'll start 63 00:03:07,000 --> 00:03:11,200 Speaker 3: on Monday. We have the declaration of nominations today at one. 64 00:03:11,040 --> 00:03:13,760 Speaker 1: Pm, okay, so we'll know exactly who's running at one 65 00:03:13,760 --> 00:03:15,519 Speaker 1: pm today for the daily by election. 66 00:03:15,760 --> 00:03:16,440 Speaker 2: That's great, Casey. 67 00:03:16,760 --> 00:03:19,840 Speaker 1: Not to be confused obviously with the local council elections, 68 00:03:19,840 --> 00:03:22,800 Speaker 1: which I know, like you know, like we've just discussed. 69 00:03:23,080 --> 00:03:24,920 Speaker 1: Are those people, some of those people that live in 70 00:03:24,960 --> 00:03:28,640 Speaker 1: the likes of Dundee possibly a little bit confused about 71 00:03:28,639 --> 00:03:31,520 Speaker 1: whether they do need to vote and whether they don't. 72 00:03:31,560 --> 00:03:34,840 Speaker 1: But they don't need to for the local council election, 73 00:03:35,040 --> 00:03:37,640 Speaker 1: but for the by election they definitely do. 74 00:03:38,960 --> 00:03:43,080 Speaker 3: That's correct, Okay. Could I just say to electors that 75 00:03:43,080 --> 00:03:46,360 Speaker 3: are confused, the best way to get information from us 76 00:03:46,520 --> 00:03:49,120 Speaker 3: is if we've got your mobile number or if we've 77 00:03:49,160 --> 00:03:52,520 Speaker 3: got your email, then we'll send you the direct information 78 00:03:52,640 --> 00:03:55,360 Speaker 3: to you in regard to how it impacts you. So 79 00:03:55,360 --> 00:03:57,640 Speaker 3: if you're not getting that data from us, it means 80 00:03:57,680 --> 00:04:00,400 Speaker 3: that that information isn't on the electoral role. So if 81 00:04:00,440 --> 00:04:03,200 Speaker 3: you go to our website and just update your enrollment 82 00:04:03,520 --> 00:04:07,040 Speaker 3: and just include those details, then at future elections you'll 83 00:04:07,040 --> 00:04:09,080 Speaker 3: get that information from the Electoral Commission. 84 00:04:09,160 --> 00:04:10,920 Speaker 1: Now, we had someone get in contact with us this 85 00:04:10,960 --> 00:04:13,560 Speaker 1: morning who lives in Palmerston. They haven't lived here for 86 00:04:13,560 --> 00:04:15,680 Speaker 1: a huge amount of time. They have changed their license 87 00:04:15,840 --> 00:04:19,960 Speaker 1: over but they haven't put themselves on the electoral role yet. 88 00:04:20,000 --> 00:04:22,480 Speaker 1: That means that they can't vote in these council elections, 89 00:04:22,480 --> 00:04:24,480 Speaker 1: doesn't it or can they? 90 00:04:24,839 --> 00:04:27,080 Speaker 3: So, Katie, how that would work is that you have 91 00:04:27,120 --> 00:04:29,200 Speaker 3: to be enrolled in your address for a month before 92 00:04:29,040 --> 00:04:32,760 Speaker 3: you're entitled to you have lived in your dress for 93 00:04:32,800 --> 00:04:36,360 Speaker 3: a month before you're entitled to enroll there. In terms 94 00:04:36,400 --> 00:04:40,000 Speaker 3: of updating your license, that's a process that's automatic enrollment, 95 00:04:40,040 --> 00:04:41,640 Speaker 3: but it will take for a few months. In terms 96 00:04:41,680 --> 00:04:44,200 Speaker 3: of that elector, the best thing they could do is 97 00:04:44,360 --> 00:04:48,080 Speaker 3: just our call the NTC and they will clarify it. 98 00:04:48,279 --> 00:04:50,919 Speaker 3: But just on what you've said there, it seems likely 99 00:04:51,000 --> 00:04:54,400 Speaker 3: that they're not on the roll. But if they have 100 00:04:54,560 --> 00:04:57,159 Speaker 3: lived an address for a month, they can go to 101 00:04:58,600 --> 00:05:01,560 Speaker 3: a voting center and they can do a provisional vote 102 00:05:01,600 --> 00:05:04,320 Speaker 3: and if it's a valid enrollment, then that vote will 103 00:05:04,360 --> 00:05:05,680 Speaker 3: be admitted to the count. Yeah. 104 00:05:05,720 --> 00:05:07,640 Speaker 1: Well, and I just think it's so important that we 105 00:05:07,680 --> 00:05:09,880 Speaker 1: do all go and vote. I know sometimes you can think, oh, 106 00:05:09,920 --> 00:05:12,120 Speaker 1: I'm so busy today, I don't have time to go 107 00:05:12,160 --> 00:05:14,040 Speaker 1: and vote. But you need to go and vote. And 108 00:05:14,200 --> 00:05:16,520 Speaker 1: a lot of us winge about various different things. But 109 00:05:16,600 --> 00:05:19,159 Speaker 1: this is the opportunity for you to have you say, 110 00:05:19,200 --> 00:05:20,919 Speaker 1: and we know in the Northern Territory that in a 111 00:05:20,960 --> 00:05:23,559 Speaker 1: lot of cases it really is a handful of votes 112 00:05:23,560 --> 00:05:24,599 Speaker 1: which determine things. 113 00:05:25,160 --> 00:05:26,800 Speaker 3: Look, you just had to look at the last territory 114 00:05:26,839 --> 00:05:29,200 Speaker 3: election where you know it was five or six votes 115 00:05:29,200 --> 00:05:34,359 Speaker 3: in Berkeley that determined the final result. Look again, you know, 116 00:05:34,839 --> 00:05:37,200 Speaker 3: I totally agree with the message you're saying. It's important 117 00:05:37,240 --> 00:05:42,360 Speaker 3: the Territorians vote. We're trying to place these voting centers 118 00:05:42,360 --> 00:05:45,200 Speaker 3: in convenient locations, particularly the early voting centers. You know 119 00:05:45,240 --> 00:05:47,840 Speaker 3: a lot of them are at shopping centers, so that 120 00:05:47,960 --> 00:05:49,960 Speaker 3: you know people are there, so whilst you're there, just 121 00:05:50,800 --> 00:05:54,919 Speaker 3: vote and then it's done, so you're not having to 122 00:05:54,960 --> 00:05:56,080 Speaker 3: make a special trip. 123 00:05:56,400 --> 00:06:00,000 Speaker 1: Now, what about on Saturday? What hours are the vot 124 00:06:00,040 --> 00:06:02,240 Speaker 1: voting centers opened if they're not able to get there 125 00:06:02,320 --> 00:06:03,480 Speaker 1: until Saturday. 126 00:06:03,320 --> 00:06:06,520 Speaker 3: So on Saturday, all voting centers will be open from 127 00:06:06,520 --> 00:06:07,760 Speaker 3: eight to six pm. 128 00:06:07,800 --> 00:06:10,120 Speaker 1: Eight until six pm. And when are you anticipating that 129 00:06:10,160 --> 00:06:12,800 Speaker 1: you'll have an outcome for some of those different different 130 00:06:12,839 --> 00:06:14,679 Speaker 1: mayoral positions and the aldermen. 131 00:06:15,320 --> 00:06:18,840 Speaker 3: It's going to be a long count Katie, just in 132 00:06:18,839 --> 00:06:21,159 Speaker 3: the sense that with so many people early voting, I 133 00:06:21,160 --> 00:06:23,360 Speaker 3: think you've been at our counting centers before when we're 134 00:06:23,360 --> 00:06:26,880 Speaker 3: doing this just to unfold and sort before you can count. 135 00:06:26,920 --> 00:06:30,000 Speaker 3: When we think that in places like Palmerston there'll be 136 00:06:30,040 --> 00:06:32,200 Speaker 3: ten thousand ballot papers, it's going to take some time. 137 00:06:32,279 --> 00:06:35,440 Speaker 3: So you get some indicative results from the election day 138 00:06:35,480 --> 00:06:39,360 Speaker 3: voting centers and they'll come in sometime between eight nine. 139 00:06:40,080 --> 00:06:43,080 Speaker 3: But in terms of the early voting centers, it's going 140 00:06:43,120 --> 00:06:46,960 Speaker 3: to be a long count. So we'll do the mayorll 141 00:06:47,000 --> 00:06:50,800 Speaker 3: counts first and then we'll do the Alderman count. But 142 00:06:51,080 --> 00:06:53,560 Speaker 3: you just have to look at our website and wait. 143 00:06:53,640 --> 00:06:56,800 Speaker 3: So we'll count all ballot papers that aren't in an 144 00:06:56,920 --> 00:06:59,760 Speaker 3: envelope on the Saturday night, and then on the Monday 145 00:06:59,760 --> 00:07:02,719 Speaker 3: we'll start counting some additional votes. 146 00:07:03,080 --> 00:07:05,200 Speaker 1: Well, we'll be keeping a very close eye on things, 147 00:07:05,240 --> 00:07:07,880 Speaker 1: and no doubt, well hopefully by Monday, I'm assuming we'll 148 00:07:07,880 --> 00:07:10,840 Speaker 1: have a pretty good idea for some of those seats 149 00:07:10,920 --> 00:07:11,640 Speaker 1: or some of those. 150 00:07:11,480 --> 00:07:14,840 Speaker 3: Areas, Katie, you'll have a decent number of votes count 151 00:07:14,840 --> 00:07:17,160 Speaker 3: if but if they're close, then obviously you're just going 152 00:07:17,200 --> 00:07:19,440 Speaker 3: to have to wait until all votes are counted. 153 00:07:19,600 --> 00:07:21,520 Speaker 2: All right, We'll be keeping a close eye on it. 154 00:07:22,160 --> 00:07:25,840 Speaker 1: Ian Logan Nathan the Northern Territories Electoral Commissioner. Always good 155 00:07:25,840 --> 00:07:28,000 Speaker 1: to catch up with you. We appreciate your time this morning. 156 00:07:28,280 --> 00:07:30,240 Speaker 2: Thank you, Katin. Good luck for a busy weekend.