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Australian Electoral Commission
The Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA) is an Australian Government Statutory Authority established on July 1 1994 under the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission Act 1989, which is today known as the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) Act 2005.
The TSRA aims to improve the lifestyle and wellbeing of the Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal people living in the Torres Strait region.
On polling day, voting will occur at a polling place in the wards of Bamaga, Ngurapai and Muralag, Port Kennedy and TRAWQ. Venues and times will be advised in the near future.
For electors outside the above mentioned wards, mobile polling teams will visit each ward. A mobile polling schedule with dates, times and locations is available from the Returning Officer.
Please refer to the “Instructions for voting on election day at Torres Strait Regional Authority Elections” which are available at all polling locations or ask a polling official.
If someone is unable to vote without help because they have poor sight, cannot read or write or are physically disabled then they may choose someone to go with them and fill out the ballot paper on their behalf. Just tell a polling official that the other person is helping you. If you have not chosen someone to help you, then a polling official can help you.
Don’t worry, just ask the polling official for another ballot paper and start again. You must return the ballot paper you made a mistake on to be issued with a new one.
Voting in the TSRA elections is not compulsory.
Yes. Every time you move house you must advise the AEC of your changed address. You can do this by completing an online enrolment form.
A Returning Officer is responsible for all aspects of an election, including organising polling places, organising polling staff and counting the votes.
A Liaison officer has the responsibility of determining a voters eligibility by confirming or challenging a voter’s status as a Torres Strait Islander or Aboriginal Person.
Scrutineers are appointed by candidates to observe the voting, and counting of the votes. Scrutineers have the right to be present when the ballot boxes are sealed and opened and when the votes are sorted and counted so that they may check any possible irregularities.
Prior to the ballot box being used, the empty box is shown to any Scrutineers and other people present before it is closed and sealed. Numbered security seals are used to secure the ballot boxes. The seal number will be recorded by the polling official in charge and will be witnessed. The ballot boxes in use are visible at all times during the poll and are guarded by a polling official. Ballot boxes which are full remain sealed and are stored in a secure place.
Polling officials take every precaution with ballot papers in their care. Ballot papers are kept secure at all times and are never left unattended.
For further information please contact the Returning Officer
The AEC acknowledges the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognises their continuing connection to land, waters, culture and community. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.