1971 New South Wales local elections

The elections used optional preferential voting.^[6] The majority of mayors were elected by councillors at council meetings, although some were directly elected.^[7]

This was the last time 18-year-olds were unable to vote at New South Wales local elections, with the Whitlam federal government lowering the voting age from 21 in 1973.^[8][9] Voting was not compulsory.^{[10][11][12][13]}