Strong voter response to local council elections

October 20, 2020

Electoral Commissioner, Warwick Gately, says that local council voters across the State have responded to the call to get their votes returned ASAP and it is expected that the turnout for these elections will exceed the 2016 response.

The Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) has been running a multi-pronged communication campaign to encourage voters to return completed ballots as soon as possible.

“I am impressed by the rate of ballot returns compared with the same time in 2016. We are tracking above where we expected to be and are appreciative of the public’s response,” says Mr Gately.

In 2016 an average of 72% of people participated in the elections; voting was not compulsory for some categories of voters. Mr Gately says that the ballot return rate was expected to exceed the 75% anticipated average return for this year’s elections.

“Our reminders have generated large call volumes and we’ve increased call centre staff in response.”

All local council elections are being held by post because of the COVID-19 pandemic and voters are reminded to have their ballot packs in the mail or returned to their local election office by 6 pm this Friday, 23 October.

The City of Casey, City of Whittlesea and the Northern Grampians Shire Council are under administration so there is no voting in those councils. Voters in these Councils will not have received ballot papers.

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.