The Electoral Commission of Queensland (ECQ) carefully considered the impact of COVID-19 on the conduct of the 2020 local government elections and Currumbin and Bundamba by-elections. This includes the declaration of COVID-19 as a global pandemic and decisions of the National Cabinet.

After considering advice from Queensland’s Chief Health Officer, the ECQ determined that, based on current advice available, the elections should proceed. This was on the basis that: the elections facilitate an essential service by providing for continuity of democratic representation for Queenslanders; and measures were put in place at polling places to limit the number of people inside the building to fewer than 100.

The ECQ acknowledges that this is a unique situation for Queensland electors and enhanced its service delivery approach for the elections to promote public health and confidence in participating in the electoral process. This includes additional personal hygiene precautions and people management measures for both electors and polling officials at polling booths.

Directions for the 2020 elections

The Electoral Commissioner issued a Direction about Candidates and Scrutineers at Particular Places under the Local Government Electoral (2020 Quadrennial Election) Regulation 2020 and the Electoral (By-elections Before Next General Election) Regulation 2020. The Direction limited the access of scrutineers during preliminary and official counts. This supported social distancing measures in line with advice from the state’s health authorities. The ECQ provided additional guidance PDF (0.28 MB) to candidates and registered political parties about the application of the Direction.

In addition, the Regulations banned the display of election signs at polling booths prior to 5am on polling day, Saturday 28 March 2020. The ECQ developed a fact sheet PDF (0.13 MB) regarding the restrictions on setting up election signs at polling booths.

The Electoral Commissioner issued a Direction about distribution of how-to-vote cards and other election material at polling booths PDF (0.05 MB) under the Local Government Electoral Act 2011 and the Electoral Act 1992. To support social distancing, all persons were prohibited from distributing how-to-vote cards or election material at all polling booths, but materials could provided to booth supervisors for display at the booth. The ECQ provided additional guidance PDF (0.21 MB) to candidates and registered political parties about the application of the Direction.

The Chief Health Officer released a Direction regarding the conduct of the 2020 local government and state by-elections to minimise the risk of the spread of COVID-19.

All Directions issued by the Electoral Commissioner can be found in the Resources section at the bottom of this page.