Local voters looking forward to a democracy sausage at the 2024 council elections will be disappointed, as council ballots come in the post.
Since 2020 all local council elections have been held entirely by postal voting in Victoria because after Local Government Minister, Melissa Horne chose to use postal votes after local voting saw a dip in the previous few elections.
Greater Bendigo has had postal elections since 1999, Campaspe since 2000 and Macedon ranges since 2005.
According to the Victorian Electoral Commission, postal voting provides greater accessibility for voters, results in higher voter turnout and participation rates, reduces the incidence of informal voting, and can be conducted at a lower cost than elections using an attendance voting system.
Australian citizens aged over 18 and have lived at their current address for more than one month, are eligible to vote in their local council election. Ratepayers who aren’t Australian citizens can apply to their council for the right to vote.
The enrollment deadline is August 7 with the official election on October 26 but all votes must be posted by 6 pm the night before.
