Local government elections in New South Wales, Australia
1974 New South Wales local elections|
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The 1974 New South Wales local elections were held on 21 September 1974 to elect the councils of the local government areas (LGAs) of New South Wales, Australia.[1][2][3]
The Labor Party suffered swings away from them across the state, losing control of councils including Blacktown, Sutherland and Wollongong.[4][5]
Electoral system
Like at state elections, New South Wales local elections use optional preferential voting.[6] The majority of mayors are elected by councillors at council meetings, although some are directly-elected.[7]
Unlike at state and federal elections, voting was not compulsory.[8][9] This was the first time 18-year-olds were able to vote at New South Wales local elections, after the Whitlam federal government lowered the voting age from 21 in 1973.[10][11] This was also final time voting was optional, with compulsory voting reintroduced in 1977.[12][13]
References
