The state government is considering changes that could reduce the frequency of lucky dip mayoral elections.
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A dozen of the state's 152 councils selected their mayor "out of a hat" this year, a system for breaking a vote deadlock dating back to the 1800s (see full list below).
The successful candidates included Jerome Laxale, who was elected Ryde City Council mayor. Despite securing only a quarter of the initial vote, his name was chosen by lot both times when the result was split twice.
Cr Laxale, who had previously backed reforms that would require mayors to be popularly elected, told Fairfax Media last month: "It's quite ridiculous that it's come to this."
Local Government Minister Paul Toole said "voting should occur as democratically as possible".
"The NSW government is considering a proposal to require councils to have an odd number of councillors," Mr Toole said.
"What is important is that the community has confidence that the procedure followed by [the] council is undertaken in a fair manner reflecting the interests of the community."
Local Government NSW president Keith Rhoades said he did not think it would be possible to completely do away with the system of drawing lots, but mandating an uneven number of councillors was the "best way" to reduce the number of occurrences.
"Personally, I have no issue if the government was to legislate that; I don't think anybody would," Cr Rhoades said.
"As long as, if it's a council of eight, it should go to nine, not back to seven, because let's not forget the most important thing here is community representation."
Mayors were determined as a result of a contested election in 53 of the state's councils, while the mayor was declared unopposed in 49 cases.
Only 37 NSW mayors have been elected to four-year terms by a popular vote, and one council is under administration.
The mayoral elections decided by lot in 2015
- Armidale Dumaresq Council
- Auburn City Council
- Balranald Shire Council
- Coonamble Shire Council
- Forbes Shire Council
- Murray Shire Council
- Murrumbidgee Shire Council
- Council of the City of Ryde
- Tweed Shire Council
- Walgett Shire Council
- Wellington Council
- Young Shire Council
