Voter Information
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 latest General Election took place on Saturday 26 October 2024.
About Council Elections
At the time of the 2024 General Election, Greater Shepparton City Council changed to a Single Member-Councillor Ward Structure – nine wards with one Councillor per ward (9 Councillors in total). Preferential voting still applies to general elections for Greater Shepparton.
The 2024 General Election was conducted via postal vote. Ballot packs are mailed to every person enrolled on the Greater Shepparton City Council Voters Roll.
Voters must post or hand-deliver their completed ballot material by the due date 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.
Voters' Roll
To be eligible to vote in the elections you must be on the Greater Shepparton City Council voters' roll. There are two main categories of voters who can participate in an 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 elections if:
- you will be over 18 years of age on voting day; 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
Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC)
The VEC website features comprehensive information about local government elections generally, as well as specific information about each local council’s election.
Content is 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.
Links and Resources
Council prepared the following fact sheets and frequently asked questions which can be accessed below:
These frequently asked questions cover everything you need to know about how to vote in the upcoming elections.
Additional information can also be obtained from the following sources: