VEC prepared to extend voting deadline in council elections

THE deadline for votes in this year’s council elections across the state could be extended, with the Victorian Electorial Commission (VEC) prepared to enact a contingency plan.
Last week, the VEC announced it had the authority to extend the postal voting timeline for the council elections if necessary to ensure that voter participation and election results were not affected by any possible mail delivery delays.
Of Victoria’s 79 councils, 76 – including the City of Greater Geelong, the Surf Coast Shire and the Borough of Queenscliffe – are having elections in October and all are being conducted by post.
Electoral Commissioner Warwick Gately said he welcomed the changes as an appropriate option to respond to community concerns about extended mail delivery timelines arising from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The VEC is engaging regularly with Australia Post and will be using the priority paid mail service for all postal ballots mailed and returned, but I accept there may be some delays.
“The strict timelines for the mailing and receipt of ballot packs is prescribed by law. The authority provided to me by the regulatory amendments allows me – if required – to mitigate the impact that any possible delays could have on the integrity of the elections.
“I will not risk voters being deprived of the right to vote. This action doesn’t mean the timelines will change, just that they may be changed if there is any evidence that delays in the postal network are impacting the integrity of the elections.”
For more information on the council elections, head to vec.vic.gov.au/voting/2020-local-council-election.