There's not long now until Port Stephens electors head to the polling booths to cast their votes for the March 25 NSW Election.
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To help ease the stress of polling day, the Port Stephens Examiner has gathered everything you need to know from who you can vote for to where.
The only thing you'll need to worry about is finding where the best democracy sausage is on the day, which we've also mapped out for you below.
Who you can vote for
The 2023 state election candidates as they will appear on the Port Stephens ballot papers are:
Michelle Buckmaster - Animal Justice Party
"As a resident of Port Stephens, I take pride in serving our community, including our non-human animal residents. My commitment to promoting a unique and fresh perspective will inspire me to introduce new initiatives to address animal and environmental issues."
- Read more on Ms Buckmaster's campaign HERE
Jordan Jensen - The Greens
"I am a candidate for this election because we need change.... Australians have been betrayed by politicians in the past. I want to be part of a new wave of people in government who care about Australians more than they care about their corporate donors."
- Read more on what Mr Jensen is campaigning for HERE
Angela Ketas - Informed Medical Options Party
"It is time for our government to lead with truth and transparency in all aspects of its operation. Be it infrastructure, health or environment, their actions should no longer be so heavily weighted towards global and corporate agendas. The focus should always be 'what is in the best interests of ordinary Australians', and not an elite minority."
- Read more on Ms Ketas' campaign HERE
Kate Washington - Labor
"I am hopeful that Labor can form government so that our community can have a voice at the table where the highest, most important decisions in the state are made."
- Read more on the Port's incumbent MP and her campaign to keep the seat HERE
Nathan Errington - Liberal
"As a father of five, I understand the pressures facing young families in Port Stephens, and know that only the Perrottet Government has the experience and the vision to tackle cost of living pressures facing everyday families."
- Read more on Mr Errington HERE
Mark Watson - One Nation
"There are a lot of people hurting across our electorate... I am an every day battler that shares the pain that our community has to endure. If we have to continually tighten our belts so should the government."
- Read more about what One Nation is pledging in this election HERE
Beverley Jelfs - Sustainable Australia Party
"One significant reason for leaving Sydney and moving to beautiful Port Stephens was the scandalous overdevelopment of the suburbs and construction without any infrastructure planning... I will fight to stop that happening here."
- Read more on Ms Jelfs' campaign HERE
Early voting
While voting day for the 2023 election is on Saturday, March 25, residents can vote early in Nelson Bay, Raymond Terrace and for the first time Tea Gardens. Early voting closes on Friday, March 24.
Pre-poll booths are available at:
- Raymond Terrace Community Church: 10 Richardson Road, Raymond Terrace
- Nelson Bay Anglican Church: 29 Tomaree Street, Nelson Bay
- Tea Gardens Council Office: 245 Myall Street, Tea Gardens
For opening times at each of these booths, click HERE
Where you can vote
Polling booths will be open from 8am to 6pm on Saturday, March 25. In Port Stephens, polling booths will be located at:
- Anna Bay Public School, Gan Gan Road, Anna Bay - Anna Bay Scouts will be running an Election Day BBQ at this site
- Bobs Farm Public School, 764 Marsh Road, Bobs Farm
- Corlette Community Hall, 49 Sandy Point Road, Corlette
- Hawks Nest Community Centre, Booner Street, Hawks Nest
- Hinton Public School, Paterson Street, Hinton
- Irrawang High School, Mount Hall Road, Raymond Terrace
- Irrawang Public School, Roslyn Street, Raymond Terrace
- Karuah Public School, 18 Bundabah Street, Karuah - Karuah Progress Association will be running an Election Day BBQ at this site
- Lemon Tree Passage Bowling Club (Club Lemon Tree), Kenneth Parade, Lemon Tree Passage - Lemon Tree Passage Marine Rescue will be running an election day BBQ at this location
- Medowie Public School, Ferodale Road, Medowie
- Nelson Bay Baptist Church Hall, 19 Government Road, Nelson Bay
- North Arm Cove Community Centre, The Ridgeway, North Arm Cove
- Port Stephens Police & Community Youth Club, 7 Austral Street, Nelson Bay
- Raymond Terrace Public School, 14 Swan Street, Raymond Terrace - The P&C is running a BBQ and cake stall to raise funds. On offer will be sausage sizzle, cake stall, bacon and egg burgers, coffee, Cold drinks, tea and coffee, and home made baked goods
- Raymond Terrace Senior Citizens and Community Centre, 17E Irrawang Street, Raymond Terrace
- Salamander Bay Social & Welfare Club, Foreshore Drive, Salamander Bay
- Salt Ash Public School, 4 Salt Ash Avenue, Salt Ash
- Seaham Public School, Still Street, Seaham
- Shoal Bay Public School, 61 Rigney Street, Shoal Bay - The P&C will be running a democracy sausage sizzle from 8am-12pm
- Soldiers Point Public School, 39 Cromarty Bay Road
- Tanilba Bay Public School King Albert Avenue, Tanilba Bay - There will be an Election Day BBQ and stage three students will be running a bake sale
- Tea Gardens Public School, Witt Street, Tea Gardens
- Tomaree Public School,169 Leisure Drive, Salamander Bay
- Williamtown Union Hall, Sandeman Street, Williamtown
- Wirreanda Public School, 43 Brocklesby Road, Medowie - Wirreanda P&C will have plenty on offer on election day - Medowie Lions Club BBQ, coffee van and a pun-filled cake and lolly stall
- Woodville School Of Arts, Paterson Road, Woodville
The sweet taste of democracy
The brains trust from Wirreanda Public School P&C has been hard at work the past few weeks to ensure all of their election-related puns hit the sweet spot before hosting the most on-theme election day cake and lolly stall possible on March 25.
But they're not the only polling booth that will have the barbecue firing, home-baked cakes and slices, coffee and cold drinks available on Saturday.
- Head HERE to find out where to snag a tasty treat on election day
What are you voting for?
Politics can be a little complicated but to break it down, NSW is divided into 93 state electoral districts.
Voters in each district like those in Port Stephens will elect one person to represent their district in the Legislative Assembly (lower house). These Members of Parliament (MPs) represent their electorates for a term of four years.
Voters will also need to elect 21 of the 42 members of the Legislative Council (upper house). Members of the Legislative Council (MLCs) are elected for a term of eight years. The Legislative Council is often called the 'House of Review' because of its role in scrutinising government legislation and holding the government to account.
Residents will be required to submit two ballot papers in the March 25 election, selecting a member for the Legislative Assembly and a Legislative Council representative.
The NSW Electoral Commission (NSWEC) Virtual Tally Room (VTR) will contain results for the 2023 Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council Elections and will go live on election day.
History of the seat
The state seat of Port Stephens covers an area of 1292 square kilometres and is home to 60,275 voters, according to the NSW Electoral Commission.
The electorate stretches from Tomago in the south, out to Duns Creek and East Seaham in the west, the entire Nelson Bay area in the east and from North Arm Cove, Tea Gardens and to Nerong in the north.
Kate Washington, Labor, has held the seat from 2015 to present. Ms Washington won the 2019 state election from Liberal challenger Jaimie Abbott. Previously it was held by Craig Baumann from the Liberal Party from 2007 to 2015.
From 1999 to 2007 it was held by the Australian Labor Party's John Richard Bartlett and prior in 1988 to 1999, ALP's Robert Douglas Martin was in the seat.
In other Port Stephens election news
- Candidates on a pre-poll roll as voters turn out in thousands to cast ballots early
- Countdown to election day: Port's Liberal candidate on the campaign trail
- The sweet taste of democracy: where to snag a delicious treat on election day
- Regional voters tell politicians to do better on hospitals, roads, schools
- Integrity biggest election issue for regional voters
- Animal Justice Party tops ballot draw for Port Stephens
- 'I will never take our community for granted': Kate in the sweet seat
Ellie-Marie Watts
A journalist with 10 years experience, Ellie-Marie connects readers to the stories that matter in their communities. A Port Stephens-based news, sport and event writer and photographer with a passion for human interest features.
A journalist with 10 years experience, Ellie-Marie connects readers to the stories that matter in their communities. A Port Stephens-based news, sport and event writer and photographer with a passion for human interest features.
