PEOPLE are being urged to enrol now for the Wellington Shire Council election, if they are not already enrolled.
The Victorian Electoral Commission is preparing to deliver a safe election during the extraordinary circumstances of the coronavirus pandemic.
The Wellington Shire Council election will be conducted by post – a safe and secret method of voting.
Electoral commissioner Warwick Gately issued a call to Wellington Shire residents and ratepayers to be ready to have their say, urging people to make sure they were enrolled correctly by the close of roll, which is 4pm on Friday, August 28.
“As this is a postal election, it’s important to check your address details are correct – this includes any alternative postal address,” Mr Gately said.
“If you’re an Australian citizen and you’ve recently turned 18 or moved, and haven’t enrolled or updated your address, or if you’ve just closed your post office box with Australia Post, you can enrol or update your details online at vec.vic.gov.au/enrolment.”
Non-Australian citizens who occupy and pay rates on a property or business in Wellington Shire, or people living outside Wellington Shire who pay rates for a property they own in Wellington Shire Council, can apply to the council to enrol by phoning 1300 366 244.
Non-resident owners who were enrolled at the most recent election (including any by-elections) for Wellington Shire Council will be automatically enrolled.
“Voting in local council elections is compulsory if you’re a state-enrolled voter, and we encourage council-enrolled voters to vote,” Mr Gately said.
“Your local council makes important decisions about your community facilities, services and local business community, so it’s important to have your say by voting in this election.”
Voters who will be away during the election period can have their ballot pack redirected to an address of their choice by making a request in writing by Thursday, September 17.
More information is available by phoning 131 832 or at vec.vic.gov.au, where state-enrolled voters can also sign up to the free VoterAlert service to receive important election reminders by SMS and email.
Friday, August 28, 4pm: Close of roll. Voters must be on the voters’ roll by this date to vote at the election.
Thursday, September 17, 9am: Nominations open. Candidates must nominate with the election manager.
Tuesday, September 22, noon: Close of nominations and ballot draw. Candidates must nominate by noon. The ballot draw occurs after this.
Tuesday, October 6 to Thursday, October 8: Ballot packs are distributed. Ballot packs will be distributed via post to every person on the voters’ roll.
Friday 23 October 23, 6pm: Close of voting. Ballot papers must be in the mail or hand delivered to the election office by 6pm.
Saturday, October 24: Election day. The day prescribed as election day.
Friday 30 October 30, noon: Final day for receipt of mailed postal votes. Postal votes must be received by noon to be considered. The election manager will include ballot material if satisfied it was signed by the voter before 6pm on 23 October 13 (close of voting).
Friday, November 13: Latest date all results will be declared. The VEC publishes the election results on the VEC website by this date.
