Voters make it count in record numbers

A report tabled by Surf Coast Shire shows participation in the 2020 council election was higher than the state average with less informal votes.

SURF Coast Shire election participation reached more than 86 per cent last year, with more voters returning ballots for the 2020 council election than the state average or the previous election.

The shire also returned less informal votes with just 3.26 per cent not meeting requirements, compared to the state average of 4.76 per cent.

The overall participation in the Surf Coast Shire election was 86.30 per cent compared to the state average of 84.12 per cent, and the 2016 Surf Coast election which was 74.66 per cent.

At the close of nominations, there were 21 candidates including 10 nominations for the Torquay Ward, five nominations for the Anglesea Ward and five for the Winchelsea Ward, with Gary Allen elected unopposed as the only nominee for Lorne.

The VEC mailed 30,224 ballot pack to registered voters and later mailed 600 replacement ballot packs.

The VEC election manager received a total of 18,732 returned ballot papers by the close of voting on October 23 and a further 7,446 ballots by the extended postal vote receipt period.

A total 26,178 ballots were received with just over 650 ballot papers rejected as ineligible before the count and 25,527 ballot papers making it to the count.

The election was declared at 11.30am on November 5 and the VEC received no requests for a recount.