The Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) is to send ‘please explain’ notices to around 350,000 Victorians who failed to vote in the October local council elections.
Electoral Commissioner, Warwick Gately said the number of notices to be sent out were approximately 40 per cent fewer than the number sent out in 2016.
“This notice is not a fine – it’s your chance to explain why you appear not to have voted, if this is the case,” Mr Gately said.
“This is a question that must be asked of those who appear not to have voted,” he said.
“Please complete and send the notice back within the 28-day timeframe so that we can consider your explanation.”
Mr Gately said the VEC may send an infringement notice and a penalty of $83 to anyone who didn’t respond or failed to provide a sufficient reason for not voting.
“Voting in the 2020 local council elections was compulsory for all State-enrolled and Melbourne City Council-enrolled voters on the roll as at Friday 28 August 2020,” the Commissioner said.
He said the Apparent Failure to Vote Notice was legislatively required to be sent to those who appeared not to have voted in the 2020 local council elections and provided an opportunity for them to explain what had happened.
