How-to-vote card guidelines

Upcoming by-elections

How-to-vote card registration for the Prahran and Werribee by-elections closed at 12 noon on Friday 31 January. We cannot accept late registrations.

Find Prahran how-to-vote cards

Find Werribee how-to-vote cards

A step-by-step guide for registering a how-to-vote card is available in the candidate handbook.

How-to-vote card requirements

Please prepare your how-to-vote card carefully. You must submit a final, print-ready digital copy (PDF only) and 2 hard copies. Files under 4MB are preferred.

Follow the how-to-vote card applicant checklist carefully to avoid delays.

You must complete a declaration form for every card you want to register. 

The checklist and declaration form are in the Candidate Kit. You can also pick up a hard copy of any of these documents at the election office.

About how-to-vote cards

A how-to-vote card is a printed guide that shows voters how a particular person or group wants you to fill out your ballot paper. We sometimes refer use the acronym 'HTVC' when talking about how-to-vote cards.

A how-to-vote card has voting instructions for one state district or state region only. Anyone can register a single how-to-vote card, including:

  • independent candidates
  • registered political parties
  • registered upper house groups
  • community groups, organisations, or charities
  • businesses
  • trade unions
  • members of the public.

A how-to-vote card must be registered with us and be properly authorised if it is:

  • handed out within 400 metres of a voting centre on election day
  • distributed by our mobile voting teams.

A how-to-vote card doesn't have to be registered with us, but must be still properly authorised if it is:

  • handed out more than 400 metres from a voting centre on election day
  • handed out at an early voting centre.

There are penalties for how-to-vote cards that are not authorised properly.

You can find comprehensive instructions for registering a how-to-vote card in the candidate handbook. Registrations are only allowed in specific registration periods in a state election or state by-election. You do not have to register any how-to-vote cards you create during local council elections. 

How-to-vote card archive

Browse an archive of how-to-vote cards: