Nepean District by-election

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Campaigning can start at any time, even before nominations open.

When campaigning, you must:

• properly authorise all electoral campaign material so it is clear who is accountable for it
• adhere to all non-electoral laws, such as those relating to defamation
• not distribute material that is likely to mislead voters into casting their vote incorrectly
• follow all political donations disclosure rules as soon as you publicly declare your intention to become a candidate, even if you don't end up nominating.

If you see something you think is in breach of the Electoral Act 2002, please submit a complaint. We'll investigate and let you know the outcome of your complaint.

There are strict laws that regulate political donations in Victoria. These laws set the rules on:

• who can make a political donation (including a ban on foreign donations)
• the maximum value of political donations
• when you must disclose any political donations that you make or receive.

If you give or receive a political donation of $1,240 or more, you must disclose it using VEC Disclosures.

You can't donate more than $4,970 to any one recipient within a 4-year  election period. The current election period started on Sunday 27 November 2022 and ends on Saturday 28 November 2026 (the next Victorian state election).

A record of all political donations disclosed in Victoria since 2018 on VEC Disclosures.

Learn more about political donations.

A how-to-vote card (HTVC for short) is a printed guide that explains how a person or group wants you to fill out your ballot paper. How-to-vote cards are a suggestion only – how you vote is up to you.

All how-to-vote cards must be properly authorised.

Anyone can create a how-to-vote card. In some situations, you must register your how-to-vote cards with us before you or your campaigners can hand them out. This helps voters identify who created the document.

You must register your how-to-vote cards with the election manager if you want:

• handed out on election day (Saturday 2 May) within 400 metres of a voting centre
• our mobile voting teams to carry them.

You don't need to register how-to-vote cards to hand them out during the early voting period from Wednesday 22 April to Friday 1 May.

How-to-vote card registrations:

• open on Monday 13 April
• close at 12 noon on Friday 24 April.

We cannot accept late registrations.

We’ll publish all registered how-to-vote cards on this website as they are registered with us.

Want to make your own? Find out how to register a how-to-vote card.

Your vote will help shape Victoria

I have received a writ from the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, The Hon Maree Edwards, MP, issued on Friday 13 March, for the election of a member of the Legislative Assembly for Nepean District.

The writ specifies the following dates for the by-election:

Close of roll:
8 pm on Friday 20 March

Nominations close:
12 noon on Friday 10 April

Election day:
Saturday 2 May (voting from 8 am to 6 pm)

Return of the writ:
On or before Saturday 23 May

S. Bluemmel, Electoral Commissioner

Enrolling and voting

Am I enrolled to vote?

You are automatically enrolled for the Nepean District by-election if:

• you will be 18 years of age or over on Saturday 2 May and
• you are on the state electoral roll for your current address as at the close of roll and
• you live within the area shown on the map.

You need to enrol if:

• you are an Australian citizen aged 18 or over on Saturday 2 May and
• you have lived within the area shown on the map for at least a month and are not on the state electoral roll or
• you have lived within the area shown on the map for at least a month and have not updated your enrolment details, including any changes to your postal address.

How do I enrol or check/update my enrolment details?

You can enrol online at vec.vic.gov.au. You can also download an enrolment form from the website.

All enrolment applications must be received by the Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) by the close of roll at 8 pm on Friday 20 March.

You can check or update your enrolment details online at vec.vic.gov.au at any time or call 131 832 during business hours.

Enrolling is compulsory

Enrolling is compulsory as is updating your enrolment details when you move to a different address.

However, if you have never enrolled or have let your details lapse, you will not be penalised if you enrol for this by-election.

When do I vote?

Election day is on Saturday 2 May.

Details of where to vote and other voting options will be available shortly, listed online at vec.vic.gov.au and advertised in major daily and local newspapers.

Candidates

Nominations

Registered political parties must nominate candidates at the VEC, Level 11, 530 Collins Street, Melbourne. Nominations close at 12 noon on Thursday 9 April. Late nominations cannot be accepted.

Candidates not endorsed by a registered political party must nominate at the election office with the election manager, who will supply a candidate information kit, which includes a nomination form.

Independent candidates can use the online Candidate Helper at vec.vic.gov.au to pre-complete their nomination form.

Independent candidate nominations close at 12 noon on Friday 10 April. Late nominations cannot be accepted.

An information session for independent candidates will be held online at 6 pm on Monday 16 March. Visit vec.vic.gov.au for more information.

Nepean District

Election office: 1/16 Dutton Street, Rosebud

Election manager: Peter Williams

Contact: 9678 1095

How-to-vote cards

If a person or organisation intends to distribute how-to-vote cards on election day, Saturday 2 May, the cards must be registered by the VEC.

Registered how-to-vote cards are the only form of printed electoral material that may be distributed within 400 metres of a voting centre on election day.

The period for submitting how-to-vote cards for registration is from 9 am on Monday 13 April to 12 noon on Friday 24 April.

Organisations or individuals, other than registered political parties, can submit how-to-vote cards for registration directly to the election manager or the VEC.

Registered political parties must submit their how-to-vote cards for registration to the VEC at Level 11, 530 Collins Street, Melbourne.

How-to-vote cards submitted for registration after 12 noon on Friday 24 April cannot be accepted.

Voting is compulsory for all enrolled electors in Nepean District.