By Mitchell Clarke
Cardinia Shire residents have until the end of August to ensure they’re registered to vote in the local council election.
In response to the Covid-19 crisis, a postal election will be delivered by the Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) for the upcoming council elections.
The “safe and completely secret method of voting” will ensure that Cardinia Shire ratepayers are afforded the opportunity to have their say on their representative.
“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,” Electoral Commissioner Warwick Gately said.
Cardinia Shire Council will move to single-member wards for the 2020 election.
At present, there are nine councillors representing three wards across the shire, including Central Ward which has four councillors, Port Ward with two and Ranges Ward with three.
Under the new transition, there will be a total of nine wards across the shire to ensure each councillor represents roughly the same number of voters.
Mr Gately said Cardinia Shire residents needed to ensure they were enrolled correctly by the close of roll at 4pm on Friday 28 August.
“As this is a postal election, it’s important to check your address details are correct – this includes any alternative postal address,” he said.
Voting in local council elections is compulsory for state-enrolled voters and council-enrolled voters are strongly encouraged to have their say.
Anyone on the state electoral roll for their current address is automatically enrolled to vote in the council elections.
Non-Australian citizens who occupy and pay rates on a property or business in the Cardinia Shire, or people living outside the shire but pay rates for a property they own in the local government area, can apply to enrol by calling 1300 787 624.
Non-resident owners who were enrolled at the most recent election – including any by-elections – for Cardinia Shire Council will also be automatically enrolled.
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 17 September.
Australian citizens who have recently turned 18 or moved houses, and haven’t enrolled or updated their address, should enrol or update their details online at vec.vic.gov.au/enrolment.
The 2020 Victorian council elections will be the Victoria’s largest single election program, with a predicted 4.5 million voters and over 2,000 candidates participating in elections across 76 councils.
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.
Timeline for the 2020 local council general elections
– 4pm, Friday 28 August – Close of roll: Voters must be on the voters’ roll by this date to vote at the election.
– 9am, Thursday 17 September – Nominations open: Candidates must nominate with the Election Manager.
– 12 noon, Tuesday 22 September – Close of nominations and ballot draw: Candidates must nominate by 12 noon. The ballot draw occurs after this.
– Tuesday 6 to Thursday 8 October – Ballot packs are distributed via post to every person on the voters’ roll.
– 6 pm, Friday 23 October – Close of voting: Ballot papers must be in the mail or hand delivered to the Election Office by 6 pm.
– Saturday 24 October – Election Day.
– 12 noon, Friday 30 October – Final day for receipt of mailed postal votes: Postal votes must be received by 12 noon to be considered. The election manager will include ballot material if satisfied it was signed by the voter before 6pm on 23 October (close of voting).
– Friday 13 November – Latest date all results will be declared by the VEC.
