The short answer
26 August 2026 - Candidates announced for Mornington Peninsula Shire postal by-election
Two candidates have nominated for the Mornington Peninsula Shire Briars Ward postal by-election, announced by the Victorian Electoral Commission on 26 August 2026 in ballot paper order. The VEC will mail a ballot pack to every voter who was correctly enrolled for Briars Ward by the close of the roll, and voting closes by post at 6 pm on Friday 2 October 2026. The by-election fills the seat left vacant by the resignation of Councillor Anthony Marsh, and this announcement is the first confirmation of the field. OzPolitics does not endorse any candidate, and this article reports only the official commission announcement.
This guide explains the federal position first. State, territory and local elections can use different rules, dates and ballot systems, so the commission named on your election material is the final operational source.
The useful question is not only “what is the rule?” but also “who administers it, which document controls it, and when might it change?” That distinction prevents an accurate general explanation from becoming wrong advice in a particular election, chamber or policy setting.
Evidence review
What the commission announced
The Victorian Electoral Commission announced on Wednesday 26 August 2026 that two candidates had nominated for the Mornington Peninsula Shire Briars Ward postal by-election. The release lists the candidates in ballot paper order and states that voting closes at 6 pm on Friday 2 October 2026.
The commission states it will send ballot packs to all voters who were correctly enrolled for Briars Ward by the close of the roll. Election Manager Robyn Farmer advised voters to post or hand deliver their completed ballot pack by the deadline so their vote counts.
Candidate statements and information are stated to be published on the commission website later in the week.
Evidence review
Who the candidates are
The two candidates, in the order they will appear on the ballot paper, are: Sue Ellison-Whyte and Christine Leahy.
The announcement gives each candidate's surname and given names as they appear on the nomination. It does not state their occupation, party affiliation, or platform; those are provided separately in candidate statements and questionnaires.
Because Briars Ward is a single-councillor ward, one candidate will be elected to the vacancy left by Councillor Anthony Marsh. The release makes no statement about preferences or party endorsement.
Evidence review
Why the by-election is being held
The by-election fills the Briars Ward seat left vacant by the resignation of Councillor Anthony Marsh, who was elected to the state seat of Nepean at the 2 May 2026 state election. Briars Ward is a ward of the Mornington Peninsula Shire Council, south-east of Melbourne.
The election is a local government by-election run by the Victorian Electoral Commission, separate from state or federal elections. Only voters enrolled for Briars Ward on the relevant roll take part.
The commission's earlier call for candidates (17 August 2026) opened nominations and closed them at 12 noon on Tuesday 25 August 2026, requiring a $250 nomination fee and in-person lodgement at the Rosebud election office.
Evidence review
How postal voting will work
Voting is conducted entirely by post. The commission mails a ballot pack to every voter correctly enrolled for Briars Ward by the close of the roll.
Voters should return the completed pack by post or by hand before the deadline. Voting closes at 6 pm on Friday 2 October 2026, and the commission advises voters not to leave the return to the last minute.
The specific by-election page carries the current timetable, the election office location and contact details, and voters who need a replacement ballot pack can contact the Victorian Electoral Commission.
Evidence review
Enrolment and who is eligible to vote
A voter had to be correctly enrolled for Briars Ward by the close of the roll to take part. For this by-election the enrolment cut-off was 4 pm on Wednesday 22 July 2026.
State-enrolled voters in Briars Ward are required to vote, as are council-enrolled voters. People who believe they may be council-enrolled can check with Mornington Peninsula Shire Council.
The commission asks anyone who has turned 18, become an Australian citizen, moved into the ward, or changed their name to check and update their enrolment.
Evidence review
What happens next
Candidate statements and questionnaires are scheduled to be published on the commission website after the announcement.
Ballot packs will be sent to enrolled voters, who return them before the 6 pm Friday 2 October 2026 close.
After voting closes, the commission conducts the count and publishes the result. Until that declaration, the announcement of the candidate field is not the election outcome and Briars Ward's seat remains vacant.
Common questions
Before you rely on the answer
How many candidates are running in the Mornington Peninsula Briars Ward by-election?
Two candidates nominated, announced by the Victorian Electoral Commission on 26 August 2026. They appear on the ballot in the order the commission listed them.
How do I vote in this by-election?
Voting is entirely by post. The commission sends a ballot pack to every voter correctly enrolled for Briars Ward by the close of the roll, and voting closes at 6 pm on Friday 2 October 2026.
Why is the by-election being held?
The by-election fills the Briars Ward seat left vacant by the resignation of Councillor Anthony Marsh, who took the state seat of Nepean at the 2 May 2026 state election.
Am I eligible to vote?
You must have been correctly enrolled for Briars Ward by the close of the roll, which was 4 pm on Wednesday 22 July 2026. Enrolled voters in the ward are required to vote. Check your enrolment with the commission if unsure.
Where can I read more about the candidates?
The commission states that candidate statements and information will be available on the Victorian Electoral Commission website later in the week. The full timetable and result are also published there.
Source spine
Primary material used for this guide
- Victorian Electoral Commission — Media release: Candidates announced for the Mornington Peninsula Shire postal by-election (26 August 2026) — checked 2026-08-30
- Victorian Electoral Commission — Mornington Peninsula Shire Council Briars Ward by-election — checked 2026-08-30
Review trigger: Review when the Victorian Electoral Commission publishes candidate statements for the Briars Ward by-election, when it publishes the result after postal voting closes on 2 October 2026, or when it issues a further update.
Archive note: This article records the Victorian Electoral Commission's candidates-announced release of 26 August 2026 for the Mornington Peninsula Shire Briars Ward postal by-election and the VEC by-election page, checked on 30 August 2026. Two candidates are listed in the order given by the commission; candidate statements and voting dates are as published by the VEC and may be updated; readers should check the VEC website for current information. The by-election follows the resignation of Councillor Anthony Marsh.
Primary links are provided without affiliate or tracking parameters. Confirm that the source still applies to the bill, sitting date, jurisdiction or reporting period before relying on it.