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                    What if I don’t vote?

                    Find out about the penalties for failing to vote.

                    Unlike other councils, voting is compulsory in Melbourne City Council elections (including by-elections) for everyone enrolled on the Melbourne City Council voters' roll, except in special circumstances laid out in section 119 of the Local Government (Electoral) Regulations 2016. If you don’t vote, you risk a fine.

                    If you’re one of two company representatives eligible to vote and you, the other representative or both of you fail to vote in the elections, the corporation is guilty of the offence, not you as the representatives.

                    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.

                    Who oversees the voting and non-voting process?

                    ​The Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) administers the non-voter process on behalf of the City of Melbourne.

                    You can contact the VEC on either 1300 551 575 (within Australia), or +61 3 8620 1200 (for overseas callers).

                    How much is the fine for non-voting?

                    The fine for not voting in the 2020 election is $83. Read more about paying fines on the VEC website.

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