NSWALC chief executive officer Lesley Turner urged eligible voters to ensure they had their say in this year's election. 

"Voting gives Local Aboriginal Land Council members a say in how decisions about land, housing, culture and economic development benefit local communities. 

"The councillors our members elect are responsible for setting the strategic direction of NSWALC and making decisions on a range of important issues affecting Aboriginal people in New South Wales," he said. 

To ensure Land Council members can have their say, they should check with their LALC to see if they are eligible to vote at the election. 

Voting will take place at nominated polling booths between 8am and 6pm on Saturday, October 31 2015. 

In some regions, certain polling places are open for part of the day only. 

For the full list of polling places and opening times visit http://www.elections.nsw.gov.au/alc_election/polling_places 

Eligible voters who are unable to attend on polling day can lodge a postal vote, which is available now. 

People can apply for a postal vote by downloading and completing a postal vote application from http://www.elections.nsw.gov.au/alc_election/voting/postal_voting. 

Applications to cast a postal vote must be received by the NSW Electoral Commission by 5pm, Friday October 23 to ensure the NSW Electoral Commission can send ballot papers and instructions to eligible voters. 

For more information about the election, visit http://www.elections.nsw.gov.au/alc_election and http://www.alc.org.au/land-councils/2015-nswalc-election.aspx 

Candidates include Neville Brown (Wellington), Bernadette Riley (Dubbo), Rod Towney (Dubbo), Grace Toomey (Dubbo), Stephen Ryan (Dubbo), Darren Toomey (Dubbo), Barry Smith (Wellington), Anthony Amatto (Dubbo).

For further details visit http://www.elections.nsw.gov.au/alc_election/nominations