1931 New South Wales local elections

1931 New South Wales local elections

←  1928 5 December 1931 1934 →
254 of the 256 local government areas in New South Wales [1]

The 1931 New South Wales local elections were held on 5 December 1931 to elect the councils of 254 of the 256 the local government areas (LGAs) of New South Wales. ^{[2] [3] [4]}

The elections in Camden and Cumberland were postponed until 2 January 1932. ^{[5] [6]}

Electoral system

Some councils used proportional representation. For the first time, candidates were grouped on the ballot by political affiliation, rather than in alphabetical order. ^{[7] [8]}

In Armidale, the grouping system was not used. ^{[9] [10]}

Candidates

The elections took place several months after a split in the New South Wales Labor Party. ^{[11] [12]} The state Labor Party endorsed 573 candidates, including many who publicly supported the "Lang Plan". ^{[13] [14]} These candidates were required to sign a pledge stating their support for Jack Lang. ^{[7] [15]} The federal Labor Party executive also endorsed a number of candidates. ^{[16] [17]} In Boorowa, there was a group of Independent Labor candidates. ^[18]

The Communist Party endorsed 120 candidates across 20 municipalities. ^[19]

Results

Main article: Results of the 1931 New South Wales local elections

Labor suffered losses across the state. ^{[20] [21]}

References

1. "TOMORROW'S ELECTIONS". Sydney Morning Herald. 4 December 1931. p. 8. Retrieved 21 May 2025.
2. "Council Elections". Sydney Morning Herald. 14 November 1931. p. 17. Retrieved 20 May 2025.
3. "Details of polling at municipal elections". Sydney Morning Herald. 7 December 1931. p. 6. Retrieved 19 May 2025.
4. "VICTORY FOR MODERATES. IN NORTHERN COALFIELDS". Sydney Morning Herald. 7 December 1931. p. 9. Retrieved 21 May 2025.
5. "Municipal elections postponed in County of Cumberland". The Murrumbidgee Irrigator. 1 December 1931. p. 3. Retrieved 21 May 2025.
6. "Municipal Elections Postponed". Camden News. 3 December 1931. p. 1. Retrieved 21 May 2025.
7. "POLITICAL GROUPING". The Albury Banner and Wodonga Express. 20 November 1931. p. 11. Retrieved 21 May 2025.
8. "A suggested ticket". Cootamundra Herald. 30 November 1931. p. 4. Retrieved 21 May 2025.
9. "RULED OUT!". The Armidale Express and New England General Advertiser. 18 November 1931. p. 8. Retrieved 21 May 2025.
10. "ARMIDALE'S PECULIAR COUNCIL POSITION". Macleay Argus. 20 November 1931. p. 4. Retrieved 21 May 2025.
11. "LABOR PARTY SPLIT". Advertiser and Register. 23 February 1931. p. 6. Retrieved 21 May 2025.
12. "LABOUR SPLIT". Sydney Morning Herald. 4 May 1931. p. 9. Retrieved 21 May 2025.
13. "Labour Plans to Capture Control". Sydney Morning Herald. 2 November 1931. p. 9. Retrieved 21 May 2025.
14. "Nominations for the councils". Sydney Morning Herald. 24 November 1931. p. 13. Retrieved 21 May 2025.
15. "Labor Candidate's Pledge". The Inverell Times. 13 November 1931. p. 1. Retrieved 21 May 2025.
16. "Nominations for council elections – over 500 ALP candidates". Sydney Morning Herald. 20 November 1931. p. 10. Retrieved 20 May 2025.
17. "BLOCK VOTING: A.L.P. RECOMMENDATIONS". Sydney Morning Herald. 25 November 1931. p. 12. Retrieved 21 May 2025.
18. "Municipal Elections". The Burrowa News. 27 November 1931. p. 3. Retrieved 21 May 2025.
19. "Communist candidates". Sydney Morning Herald. 20 November 1931. p. 10. Retrieved 21 May 2025.
20. "CRUSHING DEFEAT OF LABOUR CANDIDATES". Sydney Morning Herald. 7 December 1931. p. 9. Retrieved 21 May 2025.
21. "Significant swing against Labor". Wagga Wagga Express. 12 December 1931. p. 7. Retrieved 21 May 2025.