Voters in Mulgrave District by-election urged to vote early

Thursday 16 November 2023

For immediate release

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Low uptake of early and postal voting in the Mulgrave District by-election has prompted Electoral Commissioner Sven Bluemmel to urge voters to consider voting early or risk long queues on election day this Saturday.

‘While one in 3 voters in Mulgrave District has already chosen to either vote early or apply for a postal vote, the number of early votes is below what we’d typically expect to see at this point,’ Mr Bluemmel said.

‘I would urge anyone who hasn’t already voted to consider voting early. Early voting centres will be open until 8 pm tonight and from 8:30 am to 6 pm tomorrow, Friday 17 November,’ Mr Bluemmel added.

Voters who choose to vote at one of the 10 election day voting centres may face longer queues and are reminded to be patient while waiting to cast their vote.

‘Nobody likes to wait, but we will be doing everything we can to ensure that voters can move through the queue as quickly as possible. However, with voters able to choose where and when they vote on election day, we simply cannot prevent all queues,’ Mr Bluemmel said.

Voters in Mulgrave District are also reminded that voting in the by-election is compulsory. Voters who fail to vote may receive an ‘Apparent failure to vote notice’ and are advised to respond to this notice by the due date with their explanation and attach supporting evidence.

There are 2 early voting centres and 10 election day voting centres in the Mulgrave District by-election, with locations available on the VEC website at maps.vec.vic.gov.au/elections

Voters who are blind or have low vision, or those with a physical disability and need assistance to vote can vote by phone. More information on voting by telephone is available at vec.vic.gov.au/mulgrave