King Islanders will head to the polls next month to elect a new member for their local council after a councillor failed to attend three consecutive meetings.
Councillor Sarina Laidler has not been seen at the past three King Island Council’s monthly meetings, meaning a by-election or recount must be called under the Local Government Act.
Tasmanian Electoral Commissioner Andrew Hawkey as all councillors were elected unopposed at the 2022 local government elections, a by-election is required to fill the position.
He said nominations will open at 9am on January 15 and close at midday on January 23.
Ballot packs will be delivered to voters from January 30 and must be returned by 2pm on February 27 to be included in the count.
If only one candidate nominates, voting packs will not be distributed.
Voters must be enrolled by 6pm on January 18, with the close of polls scheduled for 2pm on Thursday 27 February.
A failure to vote could result in a fine as voting in the by-election is compulsory.
