A countback fills a casual vacancy when a councillor was elected under proportional representation (i.e. two or more elected at once).
- Each vacancy has its own countback
- Sitting councillors aren’t affected
Who can be elected?
Only unelected candidates from the last ordinary election.
- The returning officer contacts eligible candidates
- Candidates must apply to take part
- Non-applying candidates can’t be elected
If:
- No eligible candidates → an attendance by-election is held
- One eligible candidate → they’re elected
- Multiple eligible candidates → a countback is held
The countback uses the same ballot papers from the last ordinary election
- Preferences from each ballot paper are stored in a data file.
- The Proportional Representation Count Computer (PRCC) runs the countback using this data.
- For each ballot paper where the vacating councillor received a preference, that preference is reallocated to the next highest preferred candidate.
A countback is underway for Ward 3 after Cr Natalee Johnston resigned in August 2025.
- Managed by the NSW Electoral Commission
- Expected to be filled by Tuesday 16 September 2025
Timeline: 2025 Shoalhaven City Council (Ward 3) countback election - NSW Electoral Commission