Local Government By-Election 2026
Coffs Harbour voters will head to the polls on Saturday 12 December 2026 for a local government by-election to elect one Councillor, following the resignation of Paul Amos.
The NSW Electoral Commission will run the by-election to fill the single Councillor role, as required when a vacancy arises at this point in a Council term. More information can be found on the NSW Electoral Commission's website.
City of Coffs Harbour Council By-Election
Check your enrolment details
Community members are encouraged to prepare for the by-election by enrolling now if they have recently become eligible to vote, and checking that their enrolment details are correct, particularly if they have recently moved.
Voting is compulsory, and enrolment details can be easily checked or updated online through the NSW Electoral Commission website at elections.nsw.gov.au.
Non-residential rolls
The non-residential rolls provide people who are non-resident owners, occupiers and rate-paying lessees of rateable land within the Council area an opportunity to have a say in who is elected to Council.
Below is a link to information from the NSW Electoral Commission on the non-residential rolls:
Non-residential rolls - Information for councils
Forms
Links to the two non-residential application forms can be found below:
For individual owners, occupiers and ratepaying lessees
For nomination of an elector by joint/several, corporate or trustee owners, occupiers or ratepaying lessees
Submitting the forms
As outlined on the forms, completed forms are to be received by 6pm on 2 November 202, either via:
- By post: Locked Bag 155, Coffs Harbour, NSW 2450
- By hand: Yarrila Place, 27 Gordon St Coffs Harbour
- By email: coffs.council@chcc.nsw.gov.au
Stay up to date
For the latest information, visit the NSW Electoral Commission website at elections.nsw.gov.au.
We’ll continue to share information from the NSW Electoral Commission about key by-election dates, voting locations, candidate information sessions and other arrangements as they are confirmed.
Keep an eye on this web page, and the City’s Facebook page, for updates.
View recent media releases
Recognition for Cr Paul Amos following resignation
Coffs Harbour local government by-election set for 12 December
An inside look at being a Coffs Harbour Councillor
Frequently asked questions
Why is Coffs Harbour having a local government by-election?
Paul Amos has resigned from his role as Councillor, effective Wednesday 14 October.
In accordance with section 292 of the Local Government Act 1993, the Electoral Commissioner for NSW has confirmed a by-election will be held to fill the casual vacancy for the Office of Councillor, and this will take place on Saturday, 12 December 2026.
When will the election be held?
The by-election will be held on Saturday, 12 December 2026.
What is a local government by-election?
A by-election is an election in a single local government area or ward and can take place outside the normal four-year cycle.
When a casual vacancy occurs after the local government elections in a Councillor, the vacancy is filled by way of a by-election.
While the legislation provides limited circumstances where a by-election is not required, those circumstances do not apply to the current vacancy at City of Coffs Harbour. As a result, a by-election is required.
For further information about by-elections, visit: How does a local government election work? - NSW Electoral Commission
Can I vote early or from another location?
The NSW Electoral Commission has advised that early voting will open for residents of the Coffs Harbour Local Government Area on Saturday 5 December 2026 and will close at 6pm on Friday, 11 December.
If your circumstances make it difficult for you to go to a voting centre on election day, you may be eligible to apply for a postal vote. Applications to submit a postal vote open on Monday 26 October, and close at 5pm on Monday 7 December.
Note that eligibility criteria apply to both early voting and postal voting. Refer to the NSW Electoral Commission website for further information:
Home - NSW Electoral Commission
Please note: You cannot vote in person outside of the council area for local council elections.
Where can I vote early?
The early voting period will be between Saturday 5 December and Friday 11 December. Early voting locations are still being confirmed. Stay up to date on the NSW Electoral Commission website.
I live out of the area but own property in the Coffs Harbour Local Government Area? How do I register to vote?
The non-residential rolls provide people who are non-resident owners, occupiers and rate-paying lessees of rateable land within the Local Government Area an opportunity to have a say in who is elected to Council.
Below is a link to information from the NSW Electoral Commission on the non-residential rolls: Non-residential rolls - Information for councils
If you think you are eligible to be on a Non-residential Roll, contact the City of Coffs Harbour on 6648 4000 or via email at coffs.council@chcc.nsw.gov.au.
Where are the election day voting locations?
Election day voting locations are still being confirmed. Keep an eye on the NSW Electoral Commission website for voting locations when they are announced.
When will the election result be announced?
The NSW Electoral Commission will announce the by-election result on Thursday 31 December 2026.
I’m interested in becoming a candidate. When do nominations open?
Candidate nominations open on Monday 2 November, and close on Wednesday 11 November. The NSW Electoral Commission manages the candidate registration and the City of Coffs Harbour recommends that potential candidates contact them for more information.
What is the term of the single Councillor appointment?
The new Councillor will be declared on 31 December 2026 and sworn in early next year. They'll serve until the next council general election in September 2028.
Are there rules about election funding and political donations?
Yes, the City of Coffs Harbour recommends that you contact the NSW Electoral Commission about election funding and political donations to make sure you are aware of your obligations. More information can be found on the NSW Electoral Commission website: Electoral funding - NSW Electoral Commission
Where can I find information about becoming a candidate?
The NSW Electoral Commission will be holding an information session for people interested in becoming a candidate in the local government by-election. Stay up to date by following the City of Coffs Harbour’s Facebook page.
The NSW Electoral Commission also has information about becoming a local government candidate on their website: Candidate nominations for local government elections - NSW Electoral Commission
What are the rules around election signage?
All posters and signage containing electoral material must comply with the State Environmental Planning Policy (Exempt and Complying Development Codes) 2008 Division 2, Subdivision 13 - Election signs.
For further information about election signage and what is and isn’t allowed, please refer to the election signage rules page: Election signage rules | City of Coffs Harbour
2024 Election Results
The Local government elections were held on Saturday, 14 September 2024.
Nikki Williams was declared Mayor of the City of Coffs Harbour on 1 October 2024 (Declaration of Mayor(PDF, 197KB)).
The following candidates were declared elected as Councillors on 2 October 2024 (Declaration of Councillor(PDF, 395KB)).
- Cath Fowler
- Paul Amos
- Les Oxford
- Julie Sechi
- Gurminder Saro
- Jonathan Cassell
- George Cecato
- Tony Judge
Find out more about our Mayor and Councillors.
You can view more details of the final results of the mayoral and councillor election on the NSW Electoral Commission's Coffs Harbour webpage.