Elections ACT

Ms Rebecca Vassarotti will be officially declared elected to fill the casual vacancy in the ACT Legislative Assembly electorate of Kurrajong today at 3:00 pm by the ACT Electoral Commissioner, Mr Damian Cantwell AM CSC.

The vacancy followed the resignation of Mr Shane Rattenbury on 15 May 2026.

Media representatives and members of the public are welcome to attend the declaration of the poll. The declaration will be held at the Canberra Museum and Gallery Theatrette, corner London Circuit and Civic Square, Canberra City.

The ACT Electoral Commissioner will announce the candidates contesting the casual vacancy in the electorate of Kurrajong at 12:30 pm on Thursday 4 June 2026.

A computerised countback will take place immediately after the announcement to determine the successful candidate. This process uses the ballot papers from voters who originally supported Mr Shane Rattenbury to select his replacement.

📍 The announcement and count will be held at the Canberra Museum and Gallery Theatrette, and members of the public and media are welcome to attend.

Results will be published on the Elections ACT website later that day.

To find out more information visit www.election.act.gov.au

The ACT Electoral Commissioner has announced that the result of the countback to fill the casual vacancy for Kurrajong is expected to be known on Thursday 4 June 2026.

The vacancy follows the resignation of Mr Shane Rattenbury MLA on 15 May 2026. The formal process is now underway, with eligible candidates from the 2024 ACT election for the Kurrajong electorate invited to nominate.

Nominations close at 12 noon, 4 June, with candidates to be publicly declared shortly after. A computerised countback will then determine the successful candidate, with the formal declaration expected on Friday 5 June 2026.

Find out more, including key dates and how the process works, at https://www.elections.act.gov.au/about-the-commission/publications/news-archives/act-legislative-assembly-casual-vacancy-announced

The Canberra Socialists officially registered for ACT Legislative Assembly elections

‘The Canberra Socialists have officially been entered on the register of political parties in the ACT,’ the ACT Electoral Commissioner, Damian Cantwell AM CSC, said today.

The registration took effect from Wednesday 29 April 2026.

There are now fourteen political parties currently registered in the ACT.

Further information on party registration can be viewed on the Commission’s website at www.elections.act.gov.au/for-political-participants

Media release – political party registration matters

The ACT Electoral Commissioner has received two applications relating to registered political parties in the ACT:

- An application from The Canberra Socialists to register as a political party for ACT Legislative Assembly elections: www.elections.act.gov.au/funding-disclosures-and-registers/register-of-political-parties.

- An application from the Liberal Party of Australia (A.C.T. Division) to change the party’s registered officer: https://www.elections.act.gov.au/for-political-participants.

Members of the public may lodge written objections to either application, where applicable, by close of business on Tuesday, 14 April 2026.

Copies of the applications and relevant constitutions are available for public inspection at the Office of the Electoral Commissioner during business hours.

Further information is available on the Elections ACT website www.elections.act.gov.au

🌏 Heading to the Multicultural Festival 2026?

Make sure you stop by the ACT Electoral Commission stall!

Learn how voting works in the ACT, why every vote matters, and how to take part with confidence. You can access information on:

✅ Enrolling to vote
✅ Checking your electorate
✅ How to cast a vote
✅ Multilingual resources

📍 Visit us on London Circuit on Friday night at stall B16!

Come say hello, ask questions, and take-home helpful guides, because a strong democracy starts with informed communities.

Your vote, our future together.

Office Closure

Elections ACT wishes the ACT community a safe and happy holiday season!

Our office closes midday Wednesday 24 December 2025 and reopens 9:00 am Friday 2 January 2026.

Leave your name and number for a callback after 2 January, or email [email protected].

Warm wishes for a bright start to 2026!

We’re committed to making voting accessible for everyone in the ACT.

People with disability should be able to participate fully in the democratic process—and accessibility is at the heart of what we do.

Here’s how we’re working to remove barriers and increase inclusion:

✅ Partnering with disability advocates and expert organisations
✅ Offering low sensory voting options
✅ Training polling officials to provide assistance and ensure polling places meet accessibility standards
✅ Providing resources in accessible formats, including Easy Read guides, audio recordings, and alternative formats during election periods

Our goal is clear: elections that work for all voters.

We’ll keep listening, learning, and innovating to make voting easier and more inclusive.

The ACT Electoral Commissioner, Mr Damian Cantwell AM CSC has confirmed that the Sustainable Australia Party – Stop Overdevelopment / Corruption has officially changed its name.

“The party’s registered name is now Affordable Housing Now – Sustainable Australia Party,” Mr Cantwell said today.

As a result of this change, the party will have the option to use either its full registered name or its registered abbreviation on ballot papers for the October 2028 ACT election:

o Affordable Housing Now – Sustainable Australia Party
o Sustainable Australia Party

Further information on party registration can be viewed on the Commission’s website at https://www.elections.act.gov.au/funding-disclosures-and-registers/register-of-political-parties.

The Sustainable Australia Party - Stop Overdevelopment / Corruption have applied to change the party’s name in the register of political parties in the ACT, the ACT Electoral Commissioner, Mr Damian Cantwell AM CSC, said today.

Members of the public may lodge written objections to the proposed changes with the Electoral Commissioner by 27 November 2025.

A notice inviting objections has been published on the ACT Legislation Register as well as on the ACT Open Government and Elections ACT websites.

Copies of the application and the party’s constitution can be inspected at the Commissioner’s office (9:00am–5:00pm, business days).

Further information on party registration can be viewed on the Commission’s website at www.elections.act.gov.au/political_parties