WATTLE Range residents and ratepayers are urged to make their vote count in the local government elections, with many ballots yet to be returned.
As of Tuesday morning, Riddoch Ward had the lowest number of postal returns with 23.2 – or 350 out of a possible 1507 voters – received and scanned by the Electoral Commission of South Australia.
The Penola-based ward sees a three-way contest between incumbent councillor Dean Burrow and newcomers Rick Paltridge and Tania Shaw.
While postal votes are unlikely to be received in time, individuals can drop their completed ballot papers at either the Penola, Millicent or Beachport council offices.
More than one third of Corcoran Ward’s 4104 eligible voters have lodged their ballot papers (35.3pc), while 400 out of a total 1443 Sorby Adams Ward residents have voted.
Across the council district, 2550 postal votes have been received from 8478 potential voters.
A seven-way battle is under way for the Millicent-based ward, with current elected members John Drew, Glenn Brown and Sharon Cox up against Moira Neagle, Graham Slarks, Nicole Looby-McRostie and Klaus Emmerich vying for five vacancies.
Sorby Adams Ward councillor Dale Price and ex-Corcoran Ward’s Gwenda Lawlor will attempt to retain their positions on council amid challenges from Deb Agnew and Robert Stewart.
Kintore Ward, where councillors Peter Dunnicliff and Kevin McGrath have been elected unopposed, has seen a return rate of 24.5pc.
Totals for mayoral elections are not provided by the Electoral Commission of South Australia due to the ballot paper envelopes not being assessed until November 10 at the scrutiny and count.
Former police officer Des Noll and Millicent business owner Dennis Muhovics are contesting the position of mayor in the first battle for the position in almost a decade.
Outgoing Wattle Range Mayor Peter Gandolfi encouraged all Riddoch Ward residents to vote.
“It is an opportunity for individuals to have their say on who will best represent their values in the next four years on council.
“Given the current trend of higher than average voting participation, I would hope that would continue through and make sure people have their vote into council before 5pm on Friday.
Voting returns across the region are varied, ranging from a high of 42.2pc in Robe, 35.3pc in Kingston and 29.2pc in Naracoorte Lucindale.
5800 out of a possible 19,336 ballots – 30pc – have been returned for the City of Mount Gambier, where 19 candidates are vying for eight vacancies.
Grant District Council’s three wards – Central, Port MacDonnell and Tarpeena – have seen around one fourth of eligible voters cast their ballots.
1300 voters out of a possible 4504 have lodged votes for Tatiara District Council area councillors.
