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Local Council Elections
Combating misinformation
Local elections are a teriffic opportunity for people to help shape the future direction of their own community, but they can also attract people who either unintentionally - or intentionally - spread false or inaccurate information. As such, it's important to think carefully about all electoral information you see this election and be on the look out for misinformation and disinformation:
Misinformation is when information is spread that is believed to be true by those who are sharing it, but which is actually incorrect.
Disinformation is when information is designed to deliberately mislead and influence public opinion or obscure the truth for malicious or deceptive purposes.
For more information, please refere to the VEC's page on Sorting Fact from Fiction
Misinformation example
Fact: unlike a state election, a writ does not need to be issued for a local council election in Victoria. The process for holding local council elections is set out in the Local Government Act 2020 and Local Government (Electoral) Regulations 2020, which also fixes the dates for local council general elections. The tier of local government is recognised in Victoria’s Constitution Act 1975 in sections 74A and 74B.
Voting information
Council elections are run by the Victorian Electoral Commission. Your can check your enrolment status at the link above. If you are a non-resident ratepayer and have questions about the re-enrolment process, please contact Council directly on 5662 9200.
Non Resident Ratepayers
If you are a non-resident ratepayer and would like to vote in the upcoming election, you will need to enrol or re-enrol (regardless of whether you have previously voted in a South Gippsland Shire Council local council election). Voting in the South Gippsland local council election is only compulsory for non-resident ratepayers who choose to enrol.
All non-resident ratepayers have been sent an application form which will need to be lodged directly with Council. If you have any queries about enrolment please contact Council for assistance on 5662 9200. You can download an application form HERE.
Resident Ratepayers
If you are a resident ratepayer in South Gippsland and on the electoral roll, voting in the local government election is compulsory. Voting is administered by the Victorian Electoral Commission who mail ballot packs to all eligible voters to post back before the voting deadline. Completed ballots can also be hand delivered to the election office which will be based in Leongatha (site to be advised).
How to become a candidate:
To become a candidate in a local council election, you must:
- be an Australian citizen
- be 18 years or older
- be enrolled in the council you're contesting
- have completed the mandatory Local Government candidate training
- not be disqualified from being a councillor.
For more information, please see the information below or visit the VEC website.
Key Dates
| 25 July | Stand for Council - Candidate Information Session - facilitated by MAV Memorial Hall, Leongatha (6.30pm to 8.30pm) |
| 15 August | Life as a Woman Councillor (Online Session) - facilitated by Victorian Local Government Association |
| 29 August | Becoming a Councillor (Online Session) - facilitated by Victorian Local Government Association |
| 4 September | Candidate Information Session in Leongatha - facilitated by Victorian Electoral Commission |
| 5 September | Candidate Information Session in Korumburra - facilitated by Victorian Electoral Commission |
| 9 September | Nominations open |
| 9 September | Election office in Leongatha opens to the public (site to be confirmed) |
| 17 September | Nominations close at 12 noon |
| 17 September | Election Period commences |
| 25 October | Close of voting at 6.00pm |
| 26 October | Election Day |
| 15 November | All Elections to be declared by Friday 15 November |