YOU might not think it’s the most exciting subject, but council elections are coming up — and they do matter if you value local issues.
Despite the oft-spouted line, your elected representatives make decisions on a whole lot more than just roads, rates and rubbish.
They’re also responsible for the future of sports and recreation grounds, maternal and child health, libraries and community centres, animal registrations — the list goes on.
So, if you’re looking at the masses of election posters filling the streets and feeling bewildered about what it all means, this is for you — your handy guide to the 2016 Victorian Local Government elections.
WHEN IS THE ELECTION?
Council elections are held every four years, and this year’s poll falls on Saturday, October 22. It is administered by the Victorian Electoral Commission. All but one of Victoria’s 79 councils are having elections this year, with the Greater Geelong City Council the exception due to the appointment of administrators (its next election is in October 2017).
For those whose councils are having postal voting (the majority — read on for more information), voting closes at 6pm on Friday, October 21 and all ballot paper envelopes must be in the post or hand-delivered by this time.
DO I HAVE TO VOTE?
Yes, voting in compulsory in Victoria for all people on the State electoral roll. As with other elections, you must be enrolled to vote — check your enrolment here. This will also tell you the council area in which you live, if you’re not sure. However, if you are aged 70 or older, you are encouraged to vote but don’t have to, and will not be fined.
The electoral roll for the council elections closed on August 26. If you changed address after the close of the roll, or moved just before the close of the roll, but did not update your details, you need to vote for your old address or risk a fine.
I’M ONLY RENTING, DO I HAVE TO VOTE?
You must vote for whichever address your are enrolled for on the State electoral roll as of August 26, 2016 — so if that’s your rental property, yes.
WHAT IF I DON’T VOTE?
You could be fined $78 if you don’t respond or fail to provide a sufficient excuse for not voting.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Individual councils decide whether they will have postal voting, or attendance voting, where you go to a polling place and cast your vote (or request a postal vote if you are unable to get to a voting centre). Those living in an area with attendance voting may also be able to attend an early voting centre — which opened on September 21 — before election day.
This year, 72 of the 78 councils having elections have opted for postal voting, and a ballot pack will be mailed to you between October 4-6. If you have not received your ballot pack by October 12 you should contact your council’s election office.
Six councils will be having attendance elections: Banyule, Greater Dandenong, Knox, Moreland, Port Phillip and Yarra. If you live in one of these council areas, you’ll be sent a letter detailing where you can vote.
Most councils, with a few exceptions, are divided into wards which are represented by a number of councillors. Your address will determine which ward you vote for and how many councillors will be elected to that ward.
Council elections use full preferential voting, where you must number every box on the ballot paper on the order of your choice. If you are enrolled on the Melbourne City Council voters’ roll, where you will elect a leadership team as well as regular councillors, you will receive two papers — a preferential voting paper for the leadership team, and an above or below the vote system for the councillors.
FIND OUT YOUR COUNCIL ELECTION DETAILS HERE
WHO ARE MY CANDIDATES?
Each council has its own election page which you can find via the Victorian Electoral Commission website by entering your address. Here you’ll find a breakdown of all the wards, candidates and information about them (if they have provided it).
WHO DECIDES THE MAYOR?
In the Melbourne City Council, the Lord Mayor and Deputy Lord Mayor (known as the leadership team) are popularly elected by the voters. In all other councils, the mayor is determined by the newly elected councillors following the election.
WHAT IF I’M AWAY DURING THE ELECTION?
For those in a postal voting council, the date to apply to have your ballot pack sent to an alternative address has passed, but you can still contact your council’s election office and request to vote early. An early ballot paper can only be issued in person at the election office, and if the request is reasonable.
If you live in a council area which is having an attendance election and you will be away from your mailing address for the election period, you can apply for a postal vote to be mailed to your chosen address, or you can vote early at an early voter centre.
If you are travelling or living overseas and can’t vote, the Victorian Electoral Commission has an Overseas Notification Form you should fill out. If you are travelling around the state or interstate and don’t know where you will be, the VEC advises you keep a record of your travel as you may receive a letter after the elections asking why you did not vote.
Happy voting!