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today8 October 2024
An electoral oversight has resulted in the loss of personal information for over 30,000 Novocastrians following the recent Local Government Election. The NSW Electoral Commission confirmed that the printed roll used for marking off voters in Newcastle’s Ward 3 during the September 14 ballot is missing.
The missing roll contains details of 30,971 electors across Lambton, New Lambton, New Lambton Heights, Broadmeadow, Waratah, Jesmond, Callaghan, and Birmingham Gardens, as at 5 August 2024. The lost information includes identification numbers, full names, residential addresses, dates of birth, and sex. Silent electors have their identification number, full name, and sex listed, but not their addresses or dates of birth.
The Electoral Commission has emphasised that while the roll is unaccounted for, it does not affect the election results’ validity. All votes cast were securely counted, and electors in Ward 3 will not face failure-to-vote penalties due to the missing roll. Acting NSW Electoral Commissioner Dr Matthew Phillips apologised to the affected electors and assured them that all measures are being taken to locate the missing roll.
“I apologise to the electors of Ward 3 of the City of Newcastle for the concern this will cause and encourage them to be alert to any potential misuse of their details,” Dr Phillips said.
The Electoral Commission is collaborating with NSW Police and the NSW Privacy Commissioner to investigate the matter, and those affected are being contacted directly by mail. Dr Phillips also mentioned that the commission would be reviewing its processes to strengthen security around the management of printed rolls.
A total of 10,739 printed rolls were distributed to 2099 venues for the recent elections, with all rolls signed back in except the one used in Ward 3 of Newcastle. The incident was discovered during the post-election pack-down of a polling place.
After election day, printed rolls are collected for scanning and cross-checking against electronic mark-off records from pre-poll venues, postal vote records, and other rolls within the council area to create a consolidated view of marked electors.
The missing roll includes data for both enrolled electors and non-residential electors (non-resident owners, occupiers, and ratepaying lessees of rateable land). Silent electors, whose details are protected, had only their identification number, full name, and sex recorded on the printed roll.
Newy 87.8 FM asked The Electoral Commission which polling place it was, and they said: “We are not releasing the name of the polling place as it is not material to the investigation, or the affected electors, and we wish to maintain the safety of all our staff working at the polling place during the election period.”
An individual letter has been sent to all affected electors.
The commission urges anyone with information that may assist the investigation to contact NSW Police. Electors dissatisfied with the handling of the incident can also lodge a complaint via email at privacy.newcastle@elections.nsw.gov.au.
Written by: Newy Staff
Newy 87.8 FM is an FM radio station established in 2014 targeting Classic Hits music enthusiasts across Newcastle and The Central Coast, Australia. The station plays 60s 70s and 80s music. The station can be streamed online via this website or smart phone apps such as Tunein. In 2024 we opened a local newsroom dedicated to publishing Newcastle News.
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