Record turnout of voters in Victorian council elections as Electoral Commissioner declares win for democracy
A record number of voters turned out for the recent council elections across Victoria. But the state could still reap millions of dollars in fines from those who failed to vote without a good excuse.
Victoria
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Victorians who failed to vote in October’s council elections face paying tens of million dollars in fines in what was a record voter turnout.
Average turnout was 81.4 per cent, up from 72.1 per cent for the 2016 elections.
Previously, the highest figure was 75.1 per cent in 2005, according to the Victorian Electoral Commission.
Of the 4.29 million enrolled voters for the statewide elections, about 815,000 failed to vote.
Those people will be sent an apparent failure to vote notice to which they must respond within 28 days.
Victorians without a valid excuse for not voting face an $83 fine, meaning the state government is set to reap tens of millions of dollars in revenue.
More than $33 million in fines was collected after the 2016 elections when 430,000 infringement notices were issued.
Electoral Commissioner Warwick Gately said that the proportion of formal votes was also up on 2016.
“I was very pleased with the way the community responded to the elections, their engagement with the process and in making the program a success,” he said.
Mr Gately said a factor in the high turnout was a student-designed campaign to appeal to all voters but especially young ones.
“Going by the record numbers of phone calls, emails and visitors using our website, we are confident the messaging landed well,” he said.
Organisations like the Municipal Association of Victoria, and many councillors criticised the government for not delaying the polls due to pandemic restrictions.
Campaigning was very restricted during the lockdown with no face-to-face meetings, although letterboxing was allowed.
Australia Post was accused of significant delays in delivering some election mailouts.
Mr Gately said the elections were a win for democracy in a very challenging year.
“Our people and providers stood the test well, having to navigate COVIDSafe operating requirements but still ensuring that deadlines were observed,” he said.
“I thank both them and the voters of Victoria who also came to the party.”
Mr Gately said one negative was a discrepancy in one Moreland Council ward election which had been referred to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
The 2020 elections had 2187 candidates – a record for a Victorian election.
There was also a record number of women elected – 43.8 per cent of all councillors.
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