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                    Melbourne City Council elections

                    View of the Melbourne city skyline, Yarra River and Birrarung Marr in the foreground


                    Find out about the Melbourne City Council election process, whether you’re eligible to vote and how to enrol.

                    Didn’t vote in the 2020 Melbourne City Council elections?
                    If you were required to vote in the 2020 Melbourne City Council elections and it appears you did not, you may receive an Apparent Failure to Vote Notice from the VEC. This notice gives you the chance to explain why you did not vote in this election. For further information you can contact VEC’s compulsory voting centre on 1300 551 575.
                    ​General election 2024 

                    The City of Melbourne council election is taking place this October by postal vote.  

                    This is your chance to have your say by voting for your preferred candidate to represent you at Council. 

                    Voting is compulsory for everyone enrolled in the City of Melbourne.  

                    For more information read Enrolling for local council elections.

                    Enrolling to vote

                    In a council election there are two types of enrolment:

                    • state-enrolled
                    • council-enrolled.

                    State-enrolled​ voters

                    State-enrolled voters are people who must enrol and vote. They are:

                    • 18 years or older 
                    • an Australian citizen 
                    • have lived in City of Melbourne for longer than a month. 

                    If you’re on the state roll, you can vote in federal, state and local council elections. If you’re already enrolled, you will receive a ballot pack at your enrolled address when it is time to vote.

                    To check your enrolment or to enrol, visit Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC).

                    Council-enrolled voters

                    If you don’t meet the requirements to be on the state roll, you may still have an entitlement to vote in a council election and can apply to be on the council roll.

                    Council-enrolled voters can include corporations, occupiers, and ratepayers who own property within the City of Melbourne but live elsewhere.

                    If you are entitled to join the council roll, you can enrol online. A link to the form will be available shortly, please check back later.

                    Following changes to the law it’s compulsory for council-enrolled voters to vote at the October 2024 local council elections.


                    Becoming a candidate

                    Prospective candidates are encouraged to read the most recent Candidate Handbook to familiarise themselves with the key requirements and responsibilities of nominating for council elections. Please visit the VEC website or call 131 832.

                    Candidate Training Sessions

                    All candidates for elections must attend a candidate training session prior to nominating. If you do not attend a training session, you will not be eligible to nominate.

                    The Victorian Government provides compulsory training for all Victorians who want to nominate as a candidate. For more information on candidate training, please visit Local Government Victoria.