Ways to vote at local council elections
Local council elections in Victoria are conducted either as postal elections or attendance elections. Councils decide the method of election.
Voters are mailed ballot packs containing their ballot papers and information about the candidates. These are posted to the address at which voters are enrolled. Voters cast their votes by returning the ballot papers in the mail.
If voters have changed address after the entitlement date or are not able to take receipt of their mail when ballot packs are mailed out, they can apply to have their ballot pack redirected to another address. Applications for redirection must be received by the close of nominations. After the close of nominations, voters can request an early postal vote.
For more information about postal elections:
Details are slightly different for the Melbourne City Council elections.
When you arrive at the voting centre, an election official will ask you for your name and address. The electoral roll will then be marked and you will be issued with one ballot paper.
Early and postal voting services are available for people who wish to vote before election day.
Early voting: You can vote before election day by visiting an early voting centre. Early voting is possible from the day after the close of nominations until the day before the election.
Voting by post: If you wish, you can apply to the Returning Officer for a postal vote.
Information about early voting and postal voting will be advertised in local newspapers and on this website before the election.
For more information about attendance elections in general:
Find out more information about your local council.
Voting in postal elections
In a postal election, voting is conducted entirely by post.Voters are mailed ballot packs containing their ballot papers and information about the candidates. These are posted to the address at which voters are enrolled. Voters cast their votes by returning the ballot papers in the mail.
If voters have changed address after the entitlement date or are not able to take receipt of their mail when ballot packs are mailed out, they can apply to have their ballot pack redirected to another address. Applications for redirection must be received by the close of nominations. After the close of nominations, voters can request an early postal vote.
For more information about postal elections:
- read our easy English webpage
- download the Easy English Guide to Postal Elections (PDF, 569 KB)
- download an audio file (mp3, 2472 KB)
Details are slightly different for the Melbourne City Council elections.
Voting in attendance elections
In an attendance election, most people vote at voting centres on election day. The locations of voting centres are advertised in local papers and on this website before elections.When you arrive at the voting centre, an election official will ask you for your name and address. The electoral roll will then be marked and you will be issued with one ballot paper.
Early and postal voting services are available for people who wish to vote before election day.
Early voting: You can vote before election day by visiting an early voting centre. Early voting is possible from the day after the close of nominations until the day before the election.
Voting by post: If you wish, you can apply to the Returning Officer for a postal vote.
Information about early voting and postal voting will be advertised in local newspapers and on this website before the election.
For more information about attendance elections in general:
- read our easy English webpage
- download the Easy English Guide to Attendance Elections (PDF, 566 KB)
- download an audio file (mp3, 3097 KB)
Find out more information about your local council.