The upcoming Legislative Council elections in Windermere, Mersey and Derwent could see an increase in participation due to the vote being held on the same day as the House of Assembly election.
Political analyst Richard Herr has added the government would be reluctant to seek to shift the May 1 polling date for the upper house elections as it could benefit its candidates in Windermere and Derwent.
He said under a previous Labor government, there had been action taken by the Liberal Party to protest upper and lower house elections being held on the same day.
IN OTHER NEWS:
"Their view was it would help elect Labor members of Labor-leaning members into the upper house," Professor Herr said.
"They were strongly opposed to it at that time and one suspects that they're less strongly opposed to it this time for similar reasons."
He said he doubted voters would be confused in voting in lower house and upper house elections as this already occurred in federal elections.
State election coverage:
"Generally speaking, the Legislative Council vote is a bit lower than the House of Assembly vote so this might increase the vote in the upper house divisions where elections are being held
"It might also increase the partisan consequences of the vote as well."
What do you think? Send us a letter to the editor:
Political reporter for Australian Community Media, based in Hobart.
Political reporter for Australian Community Media, based in Hobart.
