It’s not too late to stand for Council election

Published on 08 September 2020

The short window for nominations to stand as a candidate in the 2020 local council election is coming up, with candidates needing to lodge their nomination between Thursday 17 September and Tuesday 22 September. 

Nominations must be lodged with the Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) Election Manager during this period, and candidates need to ensure they are prepared. This includes ensuring eligibility. 

To be eligible to stand for local government election, a candidate must: 

• be an Australian Citizen (or a qualified British subject)

• be enrolled to vote in the Council in which they wish to stand 

• have completed the mandatory local government training

• be at least 18 years old

To nominate, prospective candidates must make an appointment with the Election Manager during business hours.

Completed hard copy nomination forms must be lodged and the $250 nomination fee paid in person at the election office by 12 noon on Tuesday 22 September. Nomination forms can be downloaded from the VEC website and filled in electronically, or completed by hand. 

The location and contact details for the Horsham Election Office will be announced on Wednesday 16 September.

For voters, ballot packs will be mailed out between 6 and 8 October. The pack will contain a ballot paper with statements from the candidates, a ballot envelope, voting instructions and reply-paid envelope.

Ballots will need to be received back at the election office before Friday 23 October. 

For more details, access to an online Candidate Helper and further useful information to help prepare for nomination, prospective candidates can visit the VEC website