Voting underway for Victoria’s local council elections
October 5, 2020
Voting in the 2020 local council elections is in full swing across the State for over 4.33 million voters, with ballot packs being mailed from tomorrow in a Victorian first – all elections being conducted by post.
Electoral Commissioner Warwick Gately is encouraging people to vote as early as possible.
‘With the elections being conducted by post, voters must complete and return their ballot material as soon as possible to make sure their vote is received in time,’ Mr Gately said.
Voters should complete and return their ballot material as soon as they receive it. Completed ballot papers must be in the mail or hand-delivered to the election office by 6pm Friday 23 October. Local mail clearance times vary so voters should check their local mail clearance times to make sure their vote is in the mail on time.
Voters who haven’t received a ballot pack by Friday 16 October should call their election office to arrange a replacement. Visit vec.vic.gov.au for election office contact details.
Voting is compulsory for voters who were on the State roll for this election at 4 pm Friday 28 August and Council-enrolled voters are encouraged to vote. State-enrolled voters who don’t vote may be fined.
For voters enrolled for the Melbourne City Council elections, it is compulsory for everyone on the Melbourne City Council voters’ roll to vote – both State – and Council-enrolled.
For wards and councils where, at the close of nominations, the number of candidates is the same as the number of vacancies, voting will not be required and candidates will be elected unopposed. Voters in uncontested wards will be informed they will not be required to vote.
As at the close of nominations, an insufficient number of candidates nominated to fill the vacancies for East Ward in Hindmarsh Shire Council.
No nominations were received to fill the single-councillor vacancy for South West Ward in Northern Grampians Shire Council. As a result, the 2020 local council election for South West Ward has failed.
By-elections to fill the vacancies in East Ward in Hindmarsh Shire Council and South West Ward in Northern Grampians Shire Council will be held later.
More information
Further information on enrolment is available by calling 1300 805 478 or at vec.vic.gov.au, where voters can also sign up to the free VoterAlert service to receive important election reminders by SMS and email.