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Council elections
Maroondah City Council has nine Councillors who are elected by the Maroondah community. Local Government elections are quite distinct from State and Federal elections.
How often are elections held?
- Maroondah, like all Victorian Councils, holds elections every four years.
- Unlike Federal elections, the term is fixed for local government elections, and no opportunity is provided for an earlier election.
- If a Councillor resigns before they have completed their four year term, a countback process is conducted. This uses the votes cast at the immediate past election rather than holding a by-election for that ward.
When is the next election?
The next election will be on the last Saturday of October in 2016.
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Who can vote at Council elections?
- All residents who are enrolled to vote at State and Federal elections.
- Absentee owners - people who own property in Maroondah but live in another municipality. Up to two owners per property are automatically enrolled. Further owners can apply to be enrolled.
- Corporate Nominees - a company/corporation owning property within Maroondah may appoint either a director or its Company Secretary to vote on its behalf. This process is not automatic - the company needs to apply for their representative to be enrolled.
- Non-Australian citizens - residents of Maroondah who are not Australian citizens and not otherwise entitled to vote can apply to be enrolled.
- Owners of property in two or more wards will automatically be included in one ward only. They can only vote for that ward.
If you specially applied for enrolment for the last election, you will need to apply again for the next election.
If you have any questions, please contact Peter Tully, Maroondah’s Governance Advisor on 9298 4211.
What are wards?
A ward is the geographical region that a Councillor represents. It is broadly equivalent to a 'seat' in State and Federal elections. Maroondah has been divided into three multi-member wards, with each ward being represented by three Councillors.
Wards are created on the basis of:
- communities of interests - similar areas within the same ward
- a statutory requirement for each of the three wards not to vary in number of voters by 10%
- boundaries of the wards following major roads and natural features wherever possible.
Maroondah's wards are named after features or community facilities located within each ward. Arrabri ward is named after the Arrabri Community Centre, Mullum ward is named after the Mullum Mullum Creek, and Wyreena after the Wyreena Community Arts Centre.
Who can stand for Council?
Anyone on the Maroondah City Council Voters' Roll can stand as a candidate at Council elections (some minor restrictions apply). A person can only nominate once as a candidate, but it can be for any Maroondah ward.
How is the voting conducted?
Voting for Maroondah City Council elections is conducted via a full postal voting system.
All people on the Voters' Roll are mailed a ballot paper. The completed ballot paper must be received by the specified time to be valid. Unlike State and Federal elections there is no time allowed beyond Election Day for return of the ballot paper.
Is voting compulsory?
Yes. Voting is compulsory for the majority of people on the Voters' Roll.
It is optional for some voters to cast a vote, including:
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voters aged 70 years and above
-
voters who own property within Maroondah but live in another municipality.
Will I be fined for not voting?
Yes. There is a fine for not voting. It currently stands at just over $50.
Are people 70 years and over required to vote?
No - it is optional for them to vote.
Type of voting system
Various types of voting systems exist in Local Government depending upon the structural combination of the type of ward - single member, or multi-member wards. Maroondah uses the proportional representation system of voting for a multi-member ward structure. This system of voting is identical to that used in Federal Senate elections.top of page