City of Darwin, Lyons Ward by-election: Counting finished for the night

Counting in the City of Darwin, Lyons Ward by-election has finished for the night.

The results of the first preference count are as follows (in ballot paper order):

• Ben Wollinski with 738 votes
• Sam Weston with 1062 votes
• Robin Lawrence with 87 votes
• Adam Troyn with 665 votes
• Guy Bennetts with 228 votes
• Shannon Joyce with 287 votes
• Leah Potter with 540 votes
• Suki Dorras-Walker with 1240 votes
• Calvin Donaldson with 11 votes
• Mark Barnes with 242 votes
• Trevor Jenkins with 202 votes
• Samuel Ward with 593 votes

All early and returned postal votes have been counted in addition to the votes taken today.

There remains 524 postal votes to be returned to the NT Electoral Commission over the next 13 days, in addition to 29 declaration votes which may be admitted to the count.

A fresh scrutiny of all votes counted tonight will take place on the morning of Monday 4 September.

A total of 6291 votes were counted tonight representing a turnout of 48.8%.

The NT Electoral Commissioner, Iain Loganathan, said that the voter turnout is again disappointing.

“There continues to be a decline in voter turnout at elections in the Northern Territory and the turnout for the Lyons Ward by-election is further evidence of this trend. It's important that Territorians exercise their democratic right and obligation to vote and contribute to shaping their community's future," said Iain Loganathan.

“Low voter turnout is an ongoing issue across the Northern Territory, and it is vital that Territorians recognise the importance of voting ahead of the Voice Referendum and the August 2024 Territory Election”.

The Electoral Commissioner announced that in the coming weeks, infringement notices will be issued to voters who have not participated in the Lyons Ward by-election and have not provided a reasonable excuse.

Declaration votes will be counted on Friday 8 September and the final postal count will occur from 12 noon on Friday 15 September. The distribution of preferences will take place after the final postal count.

The results for the by-election are available on the NT Electoral Commission website.