ENROLLING TO VOTE
To be able to vote at Council elections, a person must be entitled to be included on Council's voters' roll on the entitlement date which, this year is Friday 3rd October 2008.
Everyone enrolled to vote in State and Federal elections (mainly Australian citizens aged 18 years or over who have lived at their current address for at least one month) is automatically enrolled to vote in Council elections. Voting is compulsory for these people, except for those aged 70 years or over.
To update an enrolment for your current address, pick up an enrolment form from any post office, phone the Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) on 13 18 32, or download a form from the enrolment page on the VEC website: www.vec.vic.gov.au/WyndhamHome.html
The following people are also eligible to be enrolled for Council elections, provided they are not already enrolled as a State or Federal elector for a property in Wyndham:
- Non-resident owners
Property owners, who are listed on Council’s rate records as not living in Wyndham, will automatically be included on the voters' roll. In this category, up to two owners can be enrolled per property and it is not compulsory for these voters to vote in Council elections. - Other owners
Those who don't fit into either of the above categories, e.g. are not Australian citizens, but own and live in a property in Wyndham and are aged 18 years or over, can apply to be enrolled on the voters’ roll. Up to two owners per property may apply. - Occupiers
Up to two occupiers of a property may apply to be enrolled in place of the owners if they pay the rates and the Council rate notice is addressed directly to the occupiers. They must have the agreement of the owners.
Council encourages occupiers of shops and commercial and industrial properties to enrol (provided the above paragraph applies) and have their say in Council's electoral representation. - Corporation nominees
A corporation owning or occupying a property in Wyndham which pays the rates, may appoint either a director or company secretary to represent it on the voters' roll. The person it appoints cannot be eligible to vote under the other categories.
People wanting to find out if they are enrolled under these other categories, or requiring an enrolment form to be sent out, should contact Council’s Business and Records Coordinator, Joy Painter, on (03) 9742 0743.
Silent voters
A person may apply to have his or her address not shown on the voters’ roll. Please contact Council for further details.