How voting works

Australia is a representative democracy. You elect people to make decisions on your behalf.

It is your right and responsibility to vote. Voting makes sure that the people who are elected are those that the majority of people prefer.

  • Federal elections and referendums

    Federal elections and referendums are conducted by the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC).

    Go to the AEC website

  • State elections

    In a state election you can vote at any voting centre in Victoria on election day. Other ways you can vote include:

    • before election day at any early voting centre in Victoria or interstate
    • by post
    • by phone (if eligible).

    You can also apply to become a general postal voter to have your ballot pack posted to you for all future state elections.

    Learn more

  • Local council elections

    Local council elections are held by post. We mail ballot packs to all voters so you can complete your vote and post it back before the voting deadline. You can also hand deliver it to the election office in your council area.

    Learn more

    • Detail of hand marking a local council ballot paper

    Preferential voting

    In Victoria, you vote by choosing candidates on a ballot paper in the order of your preference.

    Preferential voting
    Close up photo of election official counting upper house ballot papers

    Counting the votes

    When voting closes in an election, we use one of two counting methods to work out the results. These systems are preferential counting and proportional counting.

    Counting the votes
    A VEC worker sits at a table across from a voter and looks up the voter's name on the roll.

    What happens at a voting centre

    Find out what to expect at a voting centre, our accessibility standards and the kinds of help available.

    Voting options
    Green state election ballot papers stacked on a table

    Challenging an election

    Certain people have the right to challenge an election result. Find more about who they are and the other laws about making a challenge.

    More about challenges