General News
12 October, 2024
Owners caught out by enrolment change?
LESS than 60 property owners living outside the Loddon Shire have applied to vote in this month’s Inglewood and Tarnagulla Ward elections. Changes to State Government legislation ahead of the poll meant non-resident land owners had to apply to be...
LESS than 60 property owners living outside the Loddon Shire have applied to vote in this month’s Inglewood and Tarnagulla Ward elections.
Changes to State Government legislation ahead of the poll meant non-resident land owners had to apply to be included on the voter roll. They had previously been automatic inclusions and Loddon Shire sent letters advising of the change,
According to statistics from the Victorian Electoral Commission on Monday, only 21 people had their name added to the Inglewood roll. The total enrolment in the ward is 1265.
In Tarnagulla Ward, 36 non-resident owners will vote. That ward’s total enrolment is 1161.
Meanwhile, the option of voting early at the VEC’s Loddon election office in Serpentine has been taken up by just nine people to midday Monday.
Ballots in mail
BALLOT packs were mailed to voters in the two Loddon Shire wards by the VEC on Monday.
Electoral Commissioner Sven Bluemmel said people should vote as early as possible.
“This election is postal, so it’s important to complete and return your ballot material as soon as possible to make sure your vote counts,” Mr Bluemmel said.
Voting in the election is compulsory and ballot papers must be in the mail or delivered to the VEC election office by 6 pm on October 25.
Results will be declared by mid-November.