Remember to VOTE

Dodge the fine - Vote in the local elections this weekend in Queensland.

The Gold Coast goes to the polls this weekend, with nine people contesting the mayoralty and more than 40 candidates putting their hands up to be elected to 14 councillor positions.

Current Mayor Tom Tate is seeking his fourth consecutive term in the top role at the council. Those trying to dethrone him are Virginia Freebody, Danielle Dunsmore, Lavinia Rampino, Rosie Foster, Jennifer Horsburgh, Gary Pead, Brett Lambert, and Eddy Sarroff.

Mr Sarroff, who has served on the council previously and famously headed the council’s finance committee, is expected to be the mayor’s biggest rival. An early Channel 9 Gold Coast News poll on Facebook tipped Mr Sarroff to win.

Elsewhere, some of the more challenging contests will include:

• Division 7 where suspended councillor Ryan Bayldon-Lumsden, who is on bail on a charge of murder, is contesting the seat.

• Division 2 where Councillor William Owen Jones has stood down

• Division 11, where Councillor Hermann Vorster has chosen to run for State Parliament.

• Division 12 where Councillor Pauline Young has retired

Voting is compulsory for people who are on the electoral roll, and those who fail to vote face receiving fines.

The penalty for failing to vote in an election in Queensland is one penalty unit, valued as of July 1, 2023 at $154.80.