Announcement

When is the next Council Election?

The next Council Election will be held in 2028. Successful candidates will be elected for a four-year term.

Voting method

The voting system is determined by the Minister for Local Government.

‍

Is voting compulsory?

Voting is compulsory for all State-enrolled and Council-enrolled voters.  If you do not vote, you may get a fine.

To be eligible to vote at a Council election, people must be on the State or Council roll by the entitlement date.

‍

Nominations

Candidates must submit their nominations in person to the Election Manager before the close of nominations. Candidate statements and photographs must also be provided to the VEC.

‍

Close of nominations - election period commences.

Candidates must submit their nominations in person to the Election Manager before the close of nominations. Once nominations have closed, the ballot will be drawn to determine the ballot paper order.

‍

Close of voting.

In a postal election, ballot papers must be completed and posted to the Election Manager no later than the last working day before election day.

‍

Declaration
Declaration of successful candidates occurs from Sunday 27 October to Friday 15 November 2024.

‍

Tuesday 19 November 2024 (subject to the date of declaration of results)

Swearing in of Councillors and election of Mayor.

A Special Council Meeting will be held to swear in the members of Council and to elect a Mayor.

Being a councillor provides an exciting challenge and an opportunity to represent your community and play a vital role in shaping East Gippsland Shire Council.

If you are looking for an opportunity to contribute to the future direction and development of your community, you should consider standing for Council.

To be eligible, you must:

• be an Australian citizen;
• be aged 18 or over;
• be on the electoral roll in the East Gippsland municipality; and
• complete the mandatory Local Government candidate training.

‍

Election Office

Ground Floor, 76 Main Street, Bairnsdale

‍

Find out more information and resources visit Local council candidate resources | Victorian Electoral Commission

‍

Victorian Local Governance Association

The Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA) is an independent organisation committed to supporting councils and councillors in good governance.

VLGA offers information sessions and supporting resources in the lead up to each General Election, including:

Local Women Leading Change - Your campaign toolkit

This campaign toolkit is a resource designed to equip you with the tools that you need when considering running in local government elections.

Represent Handbook

A handbook for culturally diverse Victorians considering running for local government. If you are considering running for council, this handbook is for you. Its aim is to help people from culturally diverse backgrounds to understand what it takes to be elected to council and what it takes to be a council member. This handbook will support you as you decide whether to run for council and assist you if you do decide to take the journey.

‍

MAV Citizen to Councillor Guide

The Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) has released a new edition of the ‘Citizen to Councillor Guide’, a comprehensive resource designed to empower individuals interested in running for local government in Victoria. This guide is a one-stop shop for everything candidates need to know about becoming a councillor, from understanding the role to navigating the election campaign. 

 Here's what the guide covers:

•   Roles and responsibilities of local government

•   How councils work (including the legislative framework)

•   Intricacies of being a councillor

•   Council elections and candidate requirements

 The guide is:

•   Easy to navigate: Divided into six sections, allowing readers to delve into the entire content or focus on specific information.

•   Relevant for all: Whether you're a first-time candidate, returning councillor, or community member interested in local democracy, this guide has something for you.

‍

Why stand for election?

Three MAV members and councillors share their experiences as candidates and elected representatives

‍Candidate Information Session Presentation

Standing for Council Brochure

Be Heard

The Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) delivers the Be Heard program which offers free online or in-person voter education sessions about elections to communities including:

• people with disabilities (especially people with intellectual disabilities)

• people experiencing homelessness

• people from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds

• people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds

• young people from all communities.

The sessions are delivered by people who have a lived experience or are part of these communities.

The ‘Be Heard’ information sessions cover:

• who can vote

• how to fill out your ballot paper

• where to get help, if you need it

• how democracy works

Book a ‘Be Heard’ information session:

• online booking form Book a free information session | Victorian Electoral Commission (vec.vic.gov.au)

• email: outreachbookings@vec.vic.gov.au

• call the VEC on: 131 832

• other languages Information in your language | Victorian Electoral Commission (vec.vic.gov.au)

• If you are deaf, hard of hearing or need communication support, contact the VEC on 133 677 through the National Relay Service, then ask for (03) 8620 1100.

‍VEC Be Heard Flyer

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Enrolment to vote

Visit Enrolling for local council elections.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

‍Method of voting

The voting system for all Victorian local councils is set by the Minister for Local Government.

‍

Eligibility to vote

To be eligible to vote there are two types of voters:

• State-enrolled
• Council-enrolled

You have one vote in East Gippsland Shire Council. If you are a State-enrolled voter, that is the enrolment you use to vote.

‍

State-enrolled voters

You must enrol and vote if you:

• are 18 years or older
• are an Australian citizen
• have lived at your address for longer than one month.

For more information, visit Enrolling for local council elections.

‍

Council-enrolled voters

Some ratepayers can apply to become council-enrolled voters in East Gippsland Shire Council if they are:

• a property owner, occupier or represent a corporation;
• 18 years or older; and
• not a State-enrolled voter within the East Gippsland Shire Council area.

These are known as Council-enrolled voters.

‍

The rules for Council-enrolled voters changed ahead of the 2024 council elections. These changes are explained below.

‍

‍Owner ratepayers

You can apply to enrol in East Gippsland Shire Council if you:

• own property and pay rates in the council area;
• are 18 years or older; and
• are not a state-enrolled voter who lives in East Gippsland Shire Council.

This includes:

• Australian citizens who own a property in East Gippsland Shire Council but do not live in the area (for example an investment or a holiday home); and
• non-citizens over 18 years old who own a property and live in East Gippsland Shire Council.

Up to two ratepayers can apply to enrol per property, but each person only gets one vote.

‍

‍Occupier ratepayers

You can apply to enrol in East Gippsland Shire Council if you:

• pay rates for a property that you occupy but do not own;
• are 18 years or older; and
• are not a state-enrolled voter.

Up to two people per property can apply to enrol, but each person only gets one vote.

‍

‍Corporations

You can apply to enrol to vote on behalf of a corporation if you:

• are a director or company secretary of a corporation that pays rates (either as an owner or an occupier) in the council area;
• have consented to being appointed as the corporation’s representative; and
• are not already a state-enrolled voter or council-enrolled voter for the same council.

Only one person can apply to enrol as the corporation’s representative.

‍

‍If you meet the criteria

If you meet any of these criteria, you can contact us on (03) 5153 9500 to apply to enrol.

Once you are enrolled, you must vote in elections. If you don’t vote, you may get a fine.

‍

‍Resigning your enrolment

If you don’t want to vote for a property anymore, you can apply to resign your enrolment.

‍

‍Expiry of enrolment

Occupier ratepayers’ and corporations’ enrolment expires before the next local government general election.

If you want to continue to vote, you must apply to enrol again before the next Local Government General Election (2028).

East Gippsland Shire Council will send you an invitation when it is time to renew your enrolment.

Owner ratepayers’ enrolment does not expire, but owners can apply to resign their enrolment.

‍

Silent voters

If you enrol as a silent voter your enrolled address will not appear on the public voters’ roll. Some people choose to enrol this way as a safety measure.

If you want to enrol this way with Council you need to complete a separate Silent Voter Application Form. You will also need to provide a statutory declaration that explains why having your address on a voters' roll places or would place the personal safety of you or members of your family at risk.

If you are already a silent elector on the state electoral roll you will automatically be made a silent elector on the council roll if the VEC can identify and match your records.

To make sure your address is not shown, you will need to complete and submit a Silent Voter Application Form.

There is also more information about council enrolment on the VEC website at Enrolling for local council elections.

‍

The Election Period (commonly known as Caretaker Mode), is the period starting from the last day that nominations to be a candidate for a Council election can be received, and ends at 6.00 pm on election day.

During this period, Council business is conducted in accordance with the Election Period Policy to avoid the use of public resources in a way that may unduly affect the election result, and to minimise Councils making certain types of decisions that may unduly limit the decision-making ability of the incoming Council.

The Election Period Policy ensures that all general elections of the East Gippsland Shire Council are conducted in a manner that is ethical, fair and equitable and are publicly perceived as such.

Council’s Election Period Policy was adopted by Council at the Ordinary Meeting held on 30 April 2024.

Read the:

‍Election Period Policy

‍

Electoral signage

There are different rules that regulate the display of election or political signs on private property or Council land.

We remind all Council Election candidates to comply with the East Gippsland Planning Scheme and General Local Law requirements regarding electoral signage and electioneering in public places.

‍

‍Private property

The following requirements apply to private land and are regulated under the East Gippsland Shire Planning Scheme. Any political or election signage that does not adhere to the specific requirements below may result in fines and enforcement action under the Planning and Environment Act 1987. You will need to apply for a planning permit for signage that does not meet these requirements. Approval will be subject to the provisions of the East Gippsland Shire Planning Scheme.

‍

Type of sign

All election or political signs including placards, fence signs, front garden signs, window signs, stationary vehicle, or trailer signs.

‍Specific requirements:

• Sign area not exceeding 5 square metres.
• Only one sign may be displayed on the land.
• Must not be an animated or internally illuminated sign.
• Must not be displayed longer than 14 days after the event is held or 3 months, whichever is sooner.
• A sign publicising a local political event may include information about a candidate for an election.

Any electoral material posted on private property without the authority of the owner may be referred to police for investigation.

‍

‍Council land

The following requirements apply to all Council owned or controlled land, including parks, reserves, roads, parking bays, footpaths and nature strips. Any political or election signage installed or erected on Council-owned or controlled land will be removed and impounded, and fines may be imposed under the General Local Law and relevant legislation.

‍

Type of sign

Mobile billboards including signs on vehicles or trailers.

• Prohibited.
  

All other election or political advertising signs.

• Prohibited.

Bill posters including car windscreen posters and loose flyers.

• Prohibited. Considered littering and dealt with under the Environment Protection Act 2017.

‍

‍Electioneering

When candidates or their supporters are electioneering in public places, they must be aware of the following: 

• A candidate / supporter may handout electoral material in a public place, that is, streets and parks within the control of Council, but not within Council buildings or premises.
• Electoral material must follow the requirements of relevant electoral legislation.
• Council will not require a fee or a permit if a candidate / supporter is standing at a small table with a sign handing out electoral material.
• Persons distributing electoral material must be aware of public safety and community amenity and must leave a minimum 1.2-metre-wide pedestrian access on the footpath.
• Any tables and signs placed in front of Council, commercial or residential properties must be located with the agreement of the adjoining owner / occupier.
• No electoral material is to be posted on Council property including buildings, noticeboards, land, fences, street lighting posts, etc. Any such postings will be removed and impounded, and fines may be imposed under the General Local Law and relevant legislation.

‍

For more information, contact East Gippsland Shire Council on (03) 5153 9500 or visit eastgippsland.vic.gov.au‍

All candidates who nominate in council elections are required to submit an ‘Election Campaign Donation Return’ to the Chief Executive Officer within 40 days after election day.

Candidate returns must detail any gifts, goods or services worth $500 or more received during the donation period for use in connection with their election campaign. This applies to all candidates, whether elected or not, and whether they received campaign donations or not.

The ‘donation period’ is defined as the period beginning 30 days after election day in the previous election and ending 30 days after election day in the current election.

In accordance with the Local Government Act 2020 the Chief Executive Officer must:

• submit a report to the Minister specifying the names of the persons who were candidates in the election, and the names of those candidates who submitted an election campaign donation return; and
• make a summary of each election campaign donation return received available on Council's website until entitlement for the next general election; and
• ensure that a copy of an election campaign donation return is available for inspection for a period of four years from the date it is given.

View the East Gippsland Shire Council Election Campaign Donation Return Summary.

‍

To apply to become or check if you are a council-enrolled voter in East Gippsland Shire Council, contact us on (03) 5153 9500.

For information about Victorian elections, visit the Victorian Electoral Commission.

‍