Council elections

Register to vote

Registrations to be included on the voters roll closed on Wednesday 7 August.

If you are enrolled, you must vote.

• Check your enrolment
• Request to redirect your ballot back if you have recently changed your address.

Vote by post

Voting in this election is by post only. Ballot packs will be sent to all enrolled voters from Monday 7 October. Ballot material must be in the mail, or delivered to the election office at Woodend Community Hub (49 Forest St) by 6pm on Friday 25 October.

If you'll be away

If you're going to be away between Monday 7 October and Friday 25 October, you may still be able to vote. Options if you're away during this time.

Large print and braille ballot papers

Large print and braile ballot papers are available on request. Please register by 5pm on Tuesday 10 September by calling (03) 8620 1314.

More information

More information about the election is provided on the Victorian Electoral Commission website.

There are a range of resources here about Standing for Council.

A list of candidates is available on the Victorian Electoral Commission's website.

During the election period, all candidates (including current Councillors) have fair and transparent access to information relevant to their campaigns.

In accordance with Council’s Election Period Policy, Council will maintain a Candidate Request for Information Register during the Election Period. This register will be a public document that lists all requests from candidates and the responses provided.

The Candidate Request for Information Register(PDF, 114KB)  will be updated regularly during the election period.

All Candidates must send all information requests through the central mrsc@mrsc.vic.gov.au email or the (03) 5422 0333 telephone number so they can be managed and registered as required.

The election period (sometimes referred to as the 'caretaker period') begins on the last day that nominations can be received and ends at 6pm on election day.

Our Election Period (Caretaker) Policy ensures that Council business continues throughout this period in a responsible and transparent manner. Please note that this policy has been updated to reflect the provisions and terminology of the Local Government Act 2020. This policy forms part of our Governance Rules.

Find out more about Changes to Council operations during the Election Period (Caretaker)

Council's Election Period (Caretaker) Policy includes making arrangements in the period prior to an election, which aim to ensure Council actions do not interfere with the integrity of the election process and aim to protect the authority of the incoming Council.

The policy includes direction around the use of election signage. The content of election signage must meet the requirements for electoral material under section 291 of the Act. Council provides guidance in relation to the provisions which apply to signage that promotes candidates in an election or relates to election issues.

Election signs on private land

Election signs are allowed to be displayed on private land without a permit with permission from the owner of the land, subject to the following restrictions which are set out in clause 52.05-10 of the Macedon Ranges Planning Scheme:

• the advertisement area of the sign must not exceed five (5) square metres
• only one sign may be displayed on the land
• the sign must not be animated or internally illuminated, and it must not be displayed longer than 14 days after the event is held or three months without a permit (whichever is sooner).

Election signs on public land and roads

The placement of election signs on land that is owned or managed by Council (including recreation reserves, halls, facilities, nature strips, median strips, and road reserves) is prohibited. The erection of such signs will be dealt with as a breach of Council’s Community Local Law 2023.

In relation to roads and road infrastructure, penalties may also apply under section 66 of the Road Management Act 2004, which outlines the controls on advertising, signs and bills on roads and road infrastructure.

Election signs on vehicles and trailers

Portable or moveable election signs that are attached to a vehicle, trailer or similar may only be displayed if a permit is granted in accordance with Council’s Community Local Law 2023 and provided that:

• the sign does not unreasonably restrict the use of the road, or endanger the safety of members of the public; and
• the relevant parking restrictions and requirements are observed.

Within 40 days after election day, all candidates must submit an election campaign donation return to the Chief Executive Officer. A summary of the 2020 election returns is listed below.

Election campaign donation returns are also available for inspection at the Kyneton Administration Centre during normal office hours for a period of four years from the date of receipt.