1931 New South Wales local elections

Some councils used proportional representation. For the first time, candidates were grouped on the ballot by political affiliation, rather than in alphabetical order.^[7][8]

In Armidale, the grouping system was not used.^[9][10]

The elections took place several months after a split in the New South Wales Labor Party.^[11][12] The state Labor Party endorsed 573 candidates, including many who publicly supported the "Lang Plan".^[13][14] These candidates were required to sign a pledge stating their support for Jack Lang.^[7][15] The federal Labor Party executive also endorsed a number of candidates.^[16][17] In Boorowa, there was a group of Independent Labor candidates.^[18]

The Communist Party endorsed 120 candidates across 20 municipalities.^[19]

Labor suffered losses across the state.^[20][21]