About the Upcoming Elections
Local councils govern, provide services and advocate. Most importantly, they create opportunities for citizens to participate in the democratic process and influence the decisions that shape our society and local communities.
The next General Election is taking place on Saturday 26 October 2024.
About Council Elections
At the time of the 2024 General Election, Greater Shepparton City Council will change to a Single Member-Councillor Ward Structure – nine wards with one Councillor per ward (9 Councillors in total). Preferential voting will still apply to the upcoming election for Greater Shepparton.
The 2024 General Election will be conducted via postal vote. Ballot packs will be mailed to every person enrolled on the Greater Shepparton City Council Voters Roll, between Monday 7 and Thursday 10 October 2024.
Voters must have posted or hand-delivered their completed ballot material by 6pm on Friday 25 October 2024 for their vote to count. Voters are advised to check local mail collection times in their area to ensure that their ballot is lodged on time.
It is important to note that as the election is being held entirely by postal voting, there will be no voting on Election Day (Saturday 26 October 2024).
Key Dates for Candidates
Please note, there are Local Government Reforms currently before Parliament that may change the below key dates. This page will be updated to reflect the final dates once certified.
- Nominations open at 9am Monday 9 September 2024.
- Nominations close at 12 noon Tuesday 17 September 2024.
- Candidate statements and photographs, and the candidate questionnaires, are due by 12 noon Tuesday 17 September 2024.
- Election day is Saturday 26 October 2024
- Results will be declared on, or prior to, Friday 15 November 2024.
Voters' Roll
To be eligible to vote in the elections you must be on the Greater Shepparton City Council voters' roll by 4pm Wednesday 7 August 2024.
There are two main categories of voters who can participate in this election: State-enrolled voters and Council-enrolled voters.
You can check your enrolment status by calling Council's Rates and Revenue Team on 5832 9700.
Remember it is compulsory for State enrolled voters to vote in the Council elections. If you are a State enrolled voter and don't vote, you risk a fine.
Enrolling to vote
State-enrolled voters
You are already enrolled to vote in these elections if:
- you will be over 18 years of age on Saturday 26 October 2024; and
- you live in Greater Shepparton; and
- you are on the State Electoral Roll for your current address.
Council-enrolled voters
The Local Government Act 1989 required councils to automatically enrol ‘non resident ratepayers’ who owned a property within Council but did not live within that Council. The Local Government Act 2020 now requires ‘non resident ratepayers or owners’ to apply to enrol.
It is not compulsory to enrol to vote, however once enrolled it is compulsory to vote.
Below is a summary of ratepayers/owners who must complete the relevant application should they wish to vote. Please note that occupier ratepayers and corporations must re-apply every general council election.
Failure to vote
The Victorian Electoral Commission mail out failure to vote notices to those residents who are required to vote in Council elections and are not recorded as having voted at those elections.
Learn more about failure to vote notices
Questions from Candidates
In accordance with Council's Election Period Policy, Council will record any information provided to a Candidate and make that same information available to all candidates.
To facilitate this process, Candidates will be asked to submit all questions or requests for information to electionenquiries@shepparton.vic.gov.au
You will be able to view Candidate questions and responses here as they are received and addressed.
Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC)
The VEC can provide candidates with information relating to the election process and eligibility requirements.
The VEC website will feature comprehensive information about local government elections generally, as well as specific information about each local council’s election.
Content will be updated at each phase of the election cycle including information about enrolment, nominating for election, early and postal voting, redirection of ballot packs (postal), replacement of ballot packs (postal), details of how and when to vote, the close of voting and election results.
VEC Election Office
The VEC election office will be located at the Shepparton Senior Citizens Centre, 132 Welsford Street, Shepparton.
The election office will open to the public on Monday 9 September 2024 and close on Friday 25 October 2024. Opening hours will be Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
The office will be open late on two nights, being 9am to 8pm on Thursday 24 October and Friday 25 October 2024.
Links and Resources
Council has prepared the following fact sheets and frequently asked questions which can be accessed below:
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Interested in becoming a candidate – what do I need to do? These frequently asked questions cover everything from nominations, eligibility and the election itself.
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All local government candidates are required to complete mandatory training to be eligible to nominate.
Additional information can also be obtained from the following sources:
- Victorian Electoral Commission
- Victorian Electoral Commission - Candidate information
- Victorian Electoral Commission - Local council candidate resources
- Victorian Electoral Commission - Greater Shepparton
- Municipal Association of Victoria - Stand for Council
- Municipal Association of Victoria
- Victorian Local Government Association