2024 will be a big year for elections, with some estimates stating that half (really?) the world population will get the opportunity to vote in 2024.

Time magazine reckons that 64 countries—and the European Union—will conduct national elections this year with elections in Taiwan, Bangladesh, Russia and Ukraine all must-watch events for a variety of reasons.

Then of course there is the United States general election (or elections, as there are a multitude of local and cross-jurisdictional elections that are run on the same day as the general election) and another likely to be called sometime this year in the United Kingdom.

No shortage of fun for the psephologists in that lot. But wait, it only gets better!

Locally, thus far there are three state/territory general elections scheduled for 2024—the Northern Territory will be first cab out of the rank (24 August), followed by Queensland (26 October)—both having fixed 4-year terms. The latest possible date the Australian Capital Territory can hold its election will be 19 October and Tasmania will hold periodic elections for two Legislative Council seats (Hobart and Prosser).

I also reckon—if the electoral tea leaves look right—there just might be an Australia-wide general election sometime in October or November, though most I’ve spoken to about that possibility reckon the current government will want to run close to its full term—24 May 2025—so look for an April/May 2025 election.

You can read a useful summary of upcoming election matters in Australia and New Zealand at this Hawker Britton page.

Late last year the NT Electoral Commission (NTEC) released the Final Report on the redistribution of the NT’s 25 divisions for the Legislative Assembly.

The electoral boundaries have been redrawn in preparation for the 2024 Territory Election in August. The redistribution process aimed to, as near as practicable, achieve an equal distribution of electoral across all divisions, as required by the Electoral Act 2004.

Earlier today NTEC posted an update on the electoral year ahead that includes advice on relevant Election Gift (donation) Reporting Periods, information on the 2024 Election Expenditure Cap, Political Party Registration and Postal Voting.

Election gift (donation) reporting

The first gift (donation) return for the period 1 July 2023 to 31 December 2023 is due on 30 January 2024.

Election gift (donation) returns must be submitted by:

  • registered political parties (including endorsed candidates)
  • independent candidates
  • associated entities
  • third-party campaigners.

The election gift (donation) reporting period is from 1 July 2023 to 23 September 2024.

You can access more information on Election Returns page at the NTEC website

The timetable of returns is as per the following table.

2024 Election Expenditure Cap

The electoral expenditure reporting period for the 2024 Territory Election is from 1 January 2024 to 23 September 2024

During this period there is an expenditure cap of $45,600 for each division. This cap is multiplied for political parties by the number of divisions (electorates) the party contested. A party with endorsed candidates in all 25 divisions has an overall cap of $1.14m.

For more information go to the Financial Disclosure page at the NTEC website.

All completed election gift and expenditure returns are published on the NTEC website.

Political party registration

Political party applications, changes to a party’s name and changes to constitution must be lodged to the NTEC by 24 February 2024.

For more information or to complete an application, visit the Political Parties Information page at the NTEC website.

View the current register of registered political parties here.

Finally …

Postal vote applications are open

Postal vote applications for the 2024 Territory Election are now open.

To apply for a postal vote or for more information go to the Postal Voting page at the NTEC website.

For more information contact the NT Electoral Commission