The Victorian Electoral Commission began sending out infringement notices this week (beginning 22 March) to Victorians across 75 Council areas who didn’t vote in the 2020 local council elections.
Electoral Commissioner, Warwick Gately said infringement notices would be sent to people who either failed to respond to the Apparent Failure to Vote Notice or didn’t provide a sufficient reason for not voting.
“Around 350,000 Victorians received an Apparent Failure to Vote Notice from the Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) that were mailed progressively in February and March,” Mr Gately said.
“The VEC is now commencing the initial mail-out of infringement notices for 11 Councils with the remaining 64 to be mailed during the next four weeks,” he said.
“People who either did not respond to the first notice, or who did not provide a sufficient reason for not voting will receive an infringement notice which includes a penalty of $83.”
Mr Gately said anyone who received an infringement notice must respond within 35 days by either paying the fine, requesting an internal review, or applying to go to court.
The Commissioner urged people who received an infringement notice to take it seriously.
“The most important thing is that you respond to the notice before the deadline – otherwise you could receive a Penalty Reminder Notice which carries the original penalty and an additional fee,” he said.
Mr Gately said the additional fee was set at $25.80, which would take the total fine up to $108.80.
The VEC encouraged non-voters who were unsure of what to do, at any stage of the infringements process, to call 1300 551 575 or visit its Didn’t Vote? website.
The VEC’s Didn’t vote? website can be accessed at this PS News link.
