Thousands of registered voters who didn’t return their Hume City Council election ballot papers last October are being sent $99 infringement notices by the Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC).
The commission sent ‘please explain’ notices to 22,607* apparent non-voters across Hume City in February, giving each a chance to explain why they appeared not to have voted.
It seems 2,774 gave a good reason as 19,833 penalty notices have been sent to voters in Hume. They have 35 days to either pay, ask for a review, or argue it in court.
Electoral commissioner Sven Bluemmel says penalty notices should be taken seriously.
“The most important thing is that you respond to the notice before the deadline – otherwise, you could be issued a reminder notice, which carries the original penalty plus an additional administration fee,” says Mr Bluemmel.
Voting in local council elections is compulsory in Victoria if you were enrolled to vote. Voters can sign up for reminders about future state and local council elections at VoterAlert.
*The total figure for Hume City is slightly up on the VEC’s original non-voter number of 22,597. Data is supplied to the VEC by Hume City Council.
Hume City wards
Apparent non-voters (2024)
Aitken Ward
2,021
Bababi Marning Ward
2,624
Burt-kur-min Ward
2,017
Emu Creek Ward
1,615
Jacksons Hill Ward
1,866
Merlynston Creek Ward
2,906
Mount Ridley Ward
1,987
Roxburgh Park Ward
2,129
Tullamarine Ward
1,714
Woodlands Ward
1,701
Yubup Ward
2,017
Total
22,597
Correct as at February 2025.
Data / VEC based on figures from Hume City Council.
