Traditionally, Christmas is the season for giving. But for some unlucky people who failed to vote in 2017 council elections, a letter in the mail certainly wasn’t the Christmas present they’d been hoping for.

Rather than a greeting card or presents, thousands of New South Wales residents were gifted a $55 fine.

Why? For failing to vote in their local council elections.

Residents in some NSW local government areas have claimed they did not even realise there was a council election. (A Current Affair)

This past September, 46 of the 128 councils across NSW held local elections following last years forced amalgamations.

Voting was compulsory. But there were many people, like Arncliffe resident Monica Savencu, who claim to have had no idea there was even an election happening.

"I had no idea they (the elections) were on and then I read it, it was in September so I actually checked whether I was in Sydney or not and yes it turns out I was but I had no idea the elections were on," Ms Savencu told A Current Affair .

She was not pleased she received the fine right before Christmas, adding: "I’m quite surprised because they’ve been good other times, so it’s really disappointing to see that there was absolutely no communication about this election."

Ms Savencu blames Bayside Council and the NSW Electoral Commission for failing to provide her with any information about the election.

And she isn’t alone. Many others have taken to social media to express their anger after also being issued fines.

Monica Savencu claims she had no idea an election was taking place. (A Current Affair)

"I got stung. Had no idea it was happening (sic)," one person wrote.

"Not much advertising nor a letter in the post reminding us of it… I guess that’s how they get your money lol (sic)," another person added.

For me personally, even though I knew my local council (Inner West Council) was having an election, I still struggled to find any information on where I needed to go to vote.

The first location that was listed on the website was closed, with a poorly-written sign on the door directing me 300 metres up the road to a local church.

When I arrived at location number two, I was told I was in the wrong district and needed to go somewhere else. The man I spoke with did not know where I needed to go to vote - which was really handy.

Finally, after driving around for 20 minutes cursing all forms of local government, I decided to drive past a primary school in Dulwich Hill that I hoped might be open for voting. Thankfully, it was.

I could have easily been one of the 400,000 people who received an 'apparent failure to vote' notice because I almost gave up in frustration.

Other voters have said it was difficult knowing where to vote. (A Current Affair)

But I am in agreement that there was very little information anywhere that was useful in my mission to be a model citizen.

Luckily, working in the media, I happened to overhear there were elections in the newsroom. But for Ms Savencu, it might be too late and she has reluctantly admitted she will pay her fine.

She is still failing to understand how the council has enough of her information to send her a fine, but wasn’t able to send her a heads up.

"If they have my address to send me a fine then they clearly have my address to send me a letter notifying me of council elections," Ms Savencu said.

If you received a fine, you have 28 days to lodge an appeal and explain why you failed to work. If you do not have a valid excuse, the fine still stands.