Media release – Tasmanian Electoral Commission, 23 February 2022
Counting completed for the Derwent Valley and West Coast council by-elections
The counting of votes for the Derwent Valley and West Coast by-elections have been completed today.
The following candidates have been elected to serve until the forthcoming ordinary elections (due to be held September/October 2022):
Derwent Valley Council
Michelle Dracoulis has been elected as councillor.
Michelle Dracoulis has been elected as mayor.
West Coast Council
Robert Butterfield has been elected as councillor.
The completed counts are published on our website:
Audit of mayor by-election ballot papers conducted
Following the completion of count 4 of the Derwent Valley Council mayor by-election only 1 vote separated Julie Triffett and Jessica Cosgrove, with one of these candidates to be excluded at count 5.
Due to the narrow margin, the returning officer conducted a full audit of all ballot papers to that point of the election to confirm the order of exclusion. The audit identified no errors in the count, confirming the 1 vote margin.
Statement – Michelle Dracoulis, 23 February 2022
It is my great honour to announce that I have been elected as Mayor of the Derwent Valley Council.
I am grateful for the faith and support that has been shown by the people of our Valley. I will meet this with dedication, compassion and joy.
I offer thanks to my fellow candidates for their dignified and community focused campaigning. I offer thanks also to our community leaders both past and present for their inspiration and guidance.
Thank you to my friends and supporters – this would not have happened without you! Your love, belief, time and experience have made this campaign a shared adventure and I know that many today are overwhelmed by what we have achieved.
