2008 State by-election non-voter follow up

Voting in the state by-election for Kororoit District closed at 6.00 pm on Saturday, 28 June, 2008.

Enrolment and voting are compulsory in Victoria. You may be fined if you are enrolled in Kororoit District and you did not vote at the 2008 State by-election. Voting has been compulsory in Victorian State elections since 1926. Under Victorian electoral law, the Victorian Electoral Commission is obliged to send notices to enrolled Victorians who appear not to have voted.

What happens?

If you did not vote at the Kororoit District by-election:

Step one: Apparent failure to vote notice
You may be sent an "apparent failure to vote notice". This notice asks you to supply an explanation for why it appears you did not vote. You are required to respond to this notice within 28 days of receiving it. If your explanation is accepted you may be excused for not voting. No further action would be taken against you.

Step two: Infringement notice
If you do not respond to the "apparent failure to vote notice" within 28 days of receiving it, or your explanation is deemed to be invalid, you will be sent an "infringement notice". This notice is accompanied by the request to pay a penalty of $55.00. You are required to respond to this notice within 42 days of receiving it

Who sets the penalty?

The penalty for not voting is determined by the Infringements Act 2006. As determined by the Act, the infringement amount for not voting is half a penalty unit, currently set at $55.00.

What if I fail to pay the penalty?

If the penalty amount for not voting is not paid by the due date a Penalty Reminder Notice will be sent to you. If you do not respond to the Penalty Reminder Notice, or do not pay the penalty outstanding, proceedings can be brought against you in the Infringements Court.

More information

For more information, call the Victorian Electoral Commission on 13 18 32.