Campaigning

Safe campaigning guidelines

Local Government Victoria have published Safe Campaign Guidelines for the 2020 local council elections.

The guidelines will help candidates understand how to comply with the directions of the Victorian Chief Health Officer to stay safe while campaigning. They include advice on permitted campaign activities, safety for campaign teams, basic hygiene and physical distancing.

Local Government Victoria will continually update these guidelines with the latest directions and restrictions. Make sure to visit the Local Government Victoria website for the latest information.

Read the Safe Campaign Guidelines on the Local Government Victoria website

Campaigning

You can campaign at any time, even before the official start of a State or local council election period.

When campaigning, consider the following:

  • All campaign material must be properly authorised so it is clear who is accountable for it. An authorisation statement must include a name and a street address. Campaign material includes advertising, social media accounts and websites.
  • All non-electoral laws, such as those relating to defamation, still apply.
  • You must not distribute material that is likely to mislead voters into voting incorrectly.
  • Disclosure of political donations rules apply in Victorian State elections.

How-to-vote cards

During an election, anyone can register a how-to-vote card. How-to-vote cards must represent formal votes (a correctly completed ballot paper).

Depending on the election, there are rules for when and where you can hand out how-to-vote cards.

State elections

During the hours of voting on election day, only registered how-to-vote cards may be handed out within 400 metres of voting centres.

How-to-vote cards distributed during the early voting period do not have to be registered but must be authorised. How-to-vote cards carried by mobile voting teams must be registered.

Local council attendance elections

During the hours of voting, only registered how-to-vote cards may be handed out within 400 metres of a voting centre on election day or at an early voting centre during the early voting period.

More information

For more information about your responsibilities you can: