Election events
The Electoral Commission of Queensland is an independent and impartial organisation established under the Electoral Act 1992 to administer the following electoral events.
Current elections
Click on the link/s below to find out more about the election events that are currently running in Queensland.
- Winton Shire Council Councillor by-election
- Rockhampton Regional Council Mayoral by-election
- Townsville City Council Division 10 by-election
Recent elections
Click on the link/s below to find out more about recent election events in Queensland.
- Torres Strait Island Regional Council Division 14 by-election
- 2020 State general election
- Aurukun Shire Council Councillor by-election
- 2020 Local government elections
- Currumbin by-election
- Bundamba by-election
State government elections
Queensland has transitioned to four year fixed-terms following the 2016 referendum.
Queensland comprises of 93 electorates. For more information see electoral boundaries.
The 2020 State general election was held on 31 October 2020. You can view the results on the 2020 State general election results page.
Local government elections
Local government elections are held every four years on the last Saturday in March, unless changed by regulation.
There are 77 local government areas within Queensland. A divided council has internal boundaries known as divisions or wards and voters elect a councillor to represent their division. In an undivided council, voters elect all the councillors for their local government area.
The 2020 local government elections were held on 28 March 2020. See the results on the 2020 local government elections results page.
By-elections
By-elections may be held if a vacancy occurs during a term of office for a member of parliament, a mayor or a councillor.
Vacancies can occur for many reasons, including death, resignation, absence without leave, expulsion or disqualification.
Election results and statistics
For information about historical elections, see the Election results and statistics page.
Referendums
A referendum is held when the government would like to change the State Constitution and provides electors with the opportunity to give their opinion. Voting in a referendum is compulsory.
In a state referendum, you'll be asked to vote in favour of ("yes") or against ("no") one or more questions, rather than selecting a candidate/s as a representative for state district or local government area.
Proposal | Date | Votes in Favour ("Yes") | Votes Against ("No") | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
Fixed Four (4) Year Terms | 19 March 2016 | 52.96% | 47.04% | Passed |
Daylight Savings | 22 February 1992 | 40.57% | 48.60% | Failed |
Extension of Parliamentary Terms from Three (3) to Four (4) years | 23 March 1991 | 772,647 | 811,078 | Failed |
Control or Prohibition Liquor | 3 October 1923 | Failed | ||
Control or Prohibition Liquor | 30 October 1920 | Failed | ||
Abolition of the Legislative Council | 5 May 1917 | 119,909 | 179,105 | Failed |
Religious Instruction | 13 April 1910 | 74,228 | 56,681 | Passed |
Federation | 2 September 1899 | 38,488 | 30,996 | Passed |
Industrial elections
ECQ is responsible for conducting industrial elections under the Industrial Relations Act 2016. Applications may be made to the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission (QIRC) seeking an election of office-bearers. Prescribed election information (form 65) must be lodged with the QIRC. This form can be found on the QIRC website. If the application is approved, the QIRC will issue a decision instructing ECQ to conduct the election.
Union: Queensland Teachers Union of Employees
Decision: RIO 2020/ 223-227
Dated: 13 October 2020
Union: Queensland Teachers Union of Employees
Decision: RIO 2020/ 205
Dated: 8 September 2020
Union: Queensland Teachers Union of Employees
Decision: RIO 2020/ 195,198, 203-204
Dated: 7, 20 August 2020 and 7 September 2020
Union: Queensland Fire and Rescue - Senior Officers Union of Employees
Decision: RIO 2020/218
Dated: 29 September 2020