VEC and AEC joint project

The VEC and the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) are undertaking a joint electoral education project in Victoria. The project aims to produce a seamless approach to providing general electoral education in Victoria, and to increase the engagement of the following groups:

people in areas of socio-economic disadvantage;

young people aged 18 to 24 years;

indigenous Victorians;

homeless people;

prisoners; and

people with little connection to their community due to the transient nature of their occupation or lifestyle.

Research has shown that these groups currently participate in elections at a less than average rate.

The project has seen the development of a number of innovative pilot programs. These programs aim at developing linkages to groups that are under-represented in the electoral system and at improving the delivery of mainstream electoral education services.

These programs include:

Have Your Say producing electoral educational materials aimed at voters with low literacy or English as a Second Language background; and

Secondary Schools Grants Program developing electoral education programs to increase student engagement with the democratic processes.