Every business, not just business owners, will be allowed to vote in the NSW local elections on December 4, according to Independent City of Sydney Councillor, Angela Vithoulkas.
“You register with every council. Every single council in NSW can take a business registration to get on the roll so when you rock up on December 4 for the council elections, you’re on the roll to vote,” Cr Vithoulkas told 2GB.
“That means you don’t have to just vote where you live. If you have a business in another area, that’s where you can register to vote as a business owner.”
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In 2014, NSW legislation made it compulsory for local businesses to enrol and vote and gave each business two votes in the City of Sydney.
In most other councils, ratepaying businesses have a right to vote but the vote is voluntary and most businesses don’t bother to enrol or vote.
Cr Vithoulkas encouraged these businesses to register this year.
“Giving them a right to vote and have a say in their future seems like it’s just democratic,” she said.
“Businesses and property owners pay over 72% of the rates [in the City of Sydney], they deserve to have a voice and exercise their democratic right.”
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