Electoral advertising and how-to-vote cards

There are specific requirements for groups of candidates relating to electoral advertising and election material. Your group of candidates must ensure they are aware of all regulations relating to:

the broadcast and publication of election material
the authorisation of election material
how-to-vote cards.

How-to-vote cards show how you want voters to rank their preferences on their ballot paper when voting for you and your group in an election. How-to-vote cards have specific requirements under the Local Government Electoral Act 2011 and must be approved by the ECQ before your group distributes them during an election period.

You or a member of your group must submit your how-to-vote card to the ECQ for approval at least 7 business days before the day you’ll distribute your cards. The ECQ then has up to 5 business days to review the card and provide you with an acceptance or rejection via email, with accepted cards being displayed on the ECQ’s website. Please be mindful of these timeframes – any printing costs incurred before the ECQ accepts a how-to-vote card will be at your group’s own risk.

You can find more detailed information, including illustrations of acceptable how-to-vote cards, in the how-to-vote card fact sheet (see link below).

While federal and state elections and referendums have media blackout periods, these do not apply to local government elections in Queensland. The ECQ does not regulate media blackout laws.

Links to further information: