2026 Media statements
February
The Electoral Commission of Queensland (ECQ) has declared Janelle Ling as the newest Councillor of the Mapoon Aboriginal Shire Council following Saturday’s by-election.
Electoral Commissioner Pat Vidgen said Ms Ling received 44.7% per cent of the votes cast.
“Election day was Saturday 21 February, and the outcome is now certain,” Mr Vidgen said.
Nominations were open from Tuesday 20 January with 3 candidates nominating to represent their community.
The by-election was triggered by the resignation of Councillor Maria Pitt on 18 December 2025.
Mapoon Aboriginal Shire Council by-election information, including all results, is available on the ECQ website or by visiting http://www.ecq.qld.gov.au/mapoon and selecting ‘view the by-election result’.
ENDS
Election timetable
- Notice of election – Tuesday 20 January 2026
- Close of roll – Tuesday 27 January 2026
- Close of nominations and ballot draw – Thursday 29 January 2026
- Close of postal vote requests – Monday 9 February at 7pm
- Early voting opens – Wednesday 18 February 2026
- Election Day –Saturday 21 February 2026
- Return of postal ballot cut-off –5pm Tuesday 3 March 2026
Three candidates will contest the vacant Councillor position at the upcoming Pormpuraaw Aboriginal Shire Council by-election.
The ballot paper draw was conducted in the community today, following the close of nominations at noon.
Candidates will be listed on the ballot paper in the following order:
- Devon TARPENCHA
- Katie HOLROYD
- Christine COLEMAN
Electoral Commissioner Pat Vidgen said he was pleased to see candidates willing to represent their community ahead of the by-election on Saturday 14 March.
“Now that voters know who is running, they can decide who they want to represent them on the Council,” Mr Vidgen said.
“The ballot papers will now be printed so early voting can get underway on Wednesday 11 March 2026.”
Community members can choose to vote early or on election day at Pormpuraaw Justice Centre, 24 Yalu Street.
Early voting: between 9am and 6pm from Wednesday 11 March to Friday 13 March 2026.
Election day voting: between 8am and 6pm on Saturday 14 March 2026.
“If any voters will be away from the community during the by-election, they can request a postal vote to ensure they can have their say,” Mr Vidgen said.
Postal vote requests will close at 7pm on Monday 2 March 2026.
The by-election was triggered by the resignation of Councillor Lucy Foote on 31 January 2026.
Keep up to date with the Pormpuraaw Aboriginal Shire Council by-election at the ECQ’s website or on social media @electoralcommissionqld. You can also call us on 1300 881 665 for more information.
ENDS
Media Contact: media@ecq.qld.gov.au or 0438 129 699
Election timetable
- Notice of election –Tuesday 10 February2026
- Close of roll – Monday 16 February 2026
- Close of nominations and ballot draw – Thursday 19 February 2026
- Close of postal vote requests – 7pm Monday 2 March 2026
- Early voting opens – Wednesday 11 March 2026
- Election Day –Saturday 14 March 2026
- Return of postal ballot cut-off –5pm Tuesday 24 March 2026
A by-election for Pormpuraaw Aboriginal Shire will be held on Saturday 14 March 2026. Around 480 people enrolled in Pormpuraaw will go to the polls to choose a new councillor.
Electoral Commissioner Pat Vidgen said nominations for the councillor position are now open. He encourages anyone interested in representing their community to nominate before 12 noon on Thursday 19 February 2026.
“When nominating, several important steps must be taken, so I urge anyone interested to do this as soon as possible,” Mr Vidgen said.
Potential candidates must make sure they are eligible to nominate, enrolled in Pormpuraaw, pay a deposit of $250, open a dedicated campaign bank account and complete the free ‘So you want to be a councillor’ online training through the Department of Local Government, Water and Volunteers website.
More information for candidates is available on the Election Participants page of the ECQ’s website.
Mr Vidgen also reminded Pormpuraaw residents about the importance of making sure they are correctly enrolled to vote.
“If you have changed your address or are enrolling to vote for the first time you must update your details by Monday 16 February 2026,” Mr Vidgen said.
“This is an important step to ensure your voice will be heard on election day.”
To enrol to vote, check your enrolment or update your details, visit the Australian Electoral Commission’s website.
The by-election results from the resignation of Councillor Lucy Foote on 31 January 2026.
Keep up to date with the Pormpuraaw Aboriginal Shire Council by-election at the ECQ’s website or on social media @electoralcommissionqld. You can also call us on 1300 881 665 for more information.
ENDS
Background
- Notice of election – Tuesday 10 February 2026
- Close of roll – Monday 16 February 2026
- Close of nominations and ballot draw – Thursday 19 February 2026
- Close of postal vote requests – 7pm Monday 2 March 2026
- Early voting opens – Wednesday 11 March 2026
- Election Day – Saturday 14 March 2026
- Return of postal ballot cut-off – 5pm Tuesday 24 March 2026
January
Three candidates have nominated to be the next Councillor for Mapoon Aboriginal Shire Council following the ballot paper draw undertaken today.
The draw was conducted in Mapoon following the close of nominations at noon.
Candidates in ballot paper order for the by-election are:
- Jerry BURKE
- Janelle LING
- Geraldine MAMOOSE
Electoral Commissioner Pat Vidgen said he was pleased to see candidates willing to represent their community ahead of the Saturday 21 February by-election.
“Now that voters know who is running, they can start to decide which candidate they want as their new councillor,” Mr Vidgen said. “We will begin printing your ballot papers so early voting can get underway on Wednesday 18 February 2026.”
Early voting will be available at Jean Jimmy Centre, Red Beach Road, Mapoon Wednesday 18 February to Friday 20 February from 9am to 6pm.
There will also be an early voting centre at Weipa Storm Surge Centre, 6 Hibberd Drive, Rocky Point on Thursday 19 February from 9am to 6pm.
On election day, Saturday 21 February 2026, voting will be open from 8am to 6pm at the Mapoon Cultural Centre, 1 Red Beach Road, Mapoon.
“If people can’t cast their ballots in person, they can request a postal vote,” Mr Vidgen said.
Postal vote requests are open until 7pm on Monday 9 February 2026.
The by-election arose due to the resignation of Councillor Maria Pitt on 18 December 2025.
Keep up to date with the Mapoon Aboriginal Shire Council by-election at the ECQ’s website or on social media @electoralcommissionqld. You can also call us on 1300 881 665 for more information.
ENDS
Media Contact: media@ecq.qld.gov.au or 0438 129 699
Background
- Notice of election – Tuesday 20 January 2026
- Close of roll – Tuesday 27 January 2026
- Close of nominations and ballot draw – Thursday 29 January 2026
- Close of postal vote requests – Monday 9 February at 7pm
- Early voting opens – Wednesday 18 February 2026
- Election Day –Saturday 21 February 2026
- Return of postal ballot cut-off –5pm Tuesday 3 March 2026
A by-election to choose a new councillor for Mapoon Aboriginal Shire will be held on Saturday 21 February 2026. Around 250 people enrolled in Mapoon will go to the polls.
The Electoral Commission of Queensland (ECQ) confirmed the date, and Electoral Commissioner Pat Vidgen said nominations for the councillor position are now open. He encourages anyone interested in representing their community to nominate before 12 noon on Thursday 29 January 2026.
“When nominating, several important steps must be taken, so I urge anyone interested to do this as soon as possible,” Mr Vidgen said.
Potential candidates must make sure they are eligible to nominate, pay a deposit of $250, open a dedicated campaign bank account and complete the free ‘So you want to be a councillor’ online training through the Department of Local Government, Water and Volunteers website.
More information for candidates is available on the Election Participants page of the ECQ’s website.
Mr Vidgen also reminded Mapoon residents about the importance of making sure they are correctly enrolled to vote.
“If you have changed your address or are enrolling to vote for the first time you must update your details by Tuesday 27 January 2026,” Mr Vidgen said.
“This is an important step to ensure your voice will be heard on election day.”
To enrol to vote, check your enrolment or update your details, visit the Australian Electoral Commission’s website.
The by-election arose due to the resignation of Councillor Maria Pitt on 18 December 2025.
Keep up to date with the Mapoon Aboriginal Shire Council by-election at the ECQ’s website or on social media @electoralcommissionqld. You can also call us on 1300 881 665 for more information.
ENDS
Media Contact: media@ecq.qld.gov.au or 0438 129 699
Background
- Notice of election – Tuesday 20 January 2026
- Close of roll – Tuesday 27 January 2026
- Close of nominations and ballot draw – Thursday 29 January 2026
- Close of postal vote requests – Monday 9 February at 7pm
- Early voting opens – Wednesday 18 February 2026
- Election Day –Saturday 21 February 2026
- Return of postal ballot cut-off –5pm Tuesday 3 March 2026