The short answer
Bendigo Lockwood Ward by-election scheduled for October 2026 - what voters need to do now
The Victorian Electoral Commission has set a postal by-election for Bendigo City Council's Lockwood Ward in October 2026, following the passing of Councillor Donna Nicholas. This is a compulsory-vote postal election covering around 10,502 enrolled voters across West Bendigo, Maiden Gully, Lockwood and surrounding areas. Residents must be correctly enrolled by 4 pm on Wednesday 22 July 2026. Ratepayers who are not citizens can apply to the council to enrol separately. The close of roll is the hard deadline. If you live in Lockwood Ward and have recently turned 18 or moved, update your enrolment online at vec.vic.gov.au/enrolment before that cutoff. Owner-ratepayers automatically enrolled from the 2025 by-election remain on the roll unless their circumstances have changed, but they should still confirm their postal address is current. Because this is a postal election, your ballot pack will be mailed to the address on the roll. An outdated residential or postal address means you may not receive it. Voters can check and update their details through the VEC website or by calling 131 832.
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
Why a by-election is being held
The by-election follows the passing of Councillor Donna Nicholas, creating a vacancy in Lockwood Ward. Under the Local Government Act 2020, the VEC is required to fill council vacancies through a by-election when they occur more than six months before the next general council election.
The VEC has determined that the by-election will be conducted entirely by post, meaning no physical polling places will open in the ward. Ballot packs will be mailed to every enrolled voter's registered address.
Evidence review
The enrolment cutoff: 4 pm Wednesday 22 July 2026
The close of roll is the single most important date for voters. Enrolments received after 4 pm on 22 July will not count for this by-election. Electoral Commissioner Sven Bluemmel emphasised that postal address accuracy is critical: voters whose pack is sent to an old address may miss out entirely.
Australian citizens who live in Lockwood Ward and have recently turned 18 or moved can enrol or update their details online at vec.vic.gov.au/enrolment. The VEC also operates a VoterAlert service that sends SMS and email reminders — voters can sign up on the VEC website.
Evidence review
Ratepayer enrolment: a separate process
Ratepayers who are not Australian citizens can still apply to vote in this council by-election if they pay rates on a property in Lockwood Ward and do not hold another voting entitlement in Bendigo City Council. This category covers property owners, occupiers and corporations.
Applications must be made through Bendigo City Council by calling 1300 002 642, and they close at the same deadline: 4 pm on Wednesday 22 July. Owner-ratepayers who were automatically enrolled for the 2025 Lockwood Ward by-election will continue to be enrolled unless their circumstances have changed. Council-enrolled voters can confirm their enrolment status by calling the same number.
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How postal voting works for this by-election
All voting in this by-election will be by post. After the close of roll, the VEC will mail a ballot pack to every enrolled voter. The pack includes a ballot paper, instructions and a reply-paid envelope.
Voters mark their ballot paper according to the instructions, seal it in the declaration envelope, sign the declaration and return it by the deadline that will be specified when the election timetable is published. Because there are no polling places, returning the completed ballot by the stated deadline is the only way to vote. Late ballots cannot be counted.
Voting in local council elections is compulsory for enrolled voters in Victoria. The VEC follows up with apparent non-voters after the election through the standard non-voter notice process.
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The Lockwood Ward area and electorate
Lockwood Ward sits in the western part of the City of Greater Bendigo and includes the suburbs and localities of West Bendigo, Maiden Gully, Lockwood and surrounding rural areas. At the time of the VEC announcement, around 10,502 Victorians were enrolled in the ward.
Bendigo City Council has nine councillors across three wards. Lockwood Ward elects three councillors under the proportional representation system used for Victorian local government elections. The by-election will fill the single vacancy created by Cr Nicholas's passing, with the successful candidate serving the remainder of the term until the next general council election.
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What happens next
After the close of roll on 22 July, the VEC will finalise the electoral roll and publish the formal election timetable, including the candidate nomination period, ballot mail-out date, and the deadline for returning completed postal votes.
Candidates can nominate once the official nomination period opens. Details about candidate eligibility, nomination forms and the candidate handbook are available from the VEC website. The VEC publishes a list of nominated candidates after nominations close.
Common questions
Before you rely on the answer
When exactly in October is the by-election?
The VEC has announced October 2026 but has not yet set a specific date. The exact timetable — including the ballot mail-out date and voting deadline — will be published after the close of roll on 22 July 2026. Check the VEC website for the confirmed dates.
I voted in the 2025 Lockwood Ward by-election. Am I still enrolled?
If you are an Australian citizen enrolled through the VEC, yes — your enrolment continues unless you have moved out of the ward or your circumstances have changed. If you are a ratepayer automatically enrolled for the 2025 by-election, you remain enrolled for this by-election unless your circumstances have changed. You can confirm your status by calling Bendigo City Council on 1300 002 642 or checking through the VEC website.
I don't live in Lockwood Ward but I own a property there. Can I vote?
Possibly. Non-resident ratepayers — including property owners, occupiers and corporations — can apply to Bendigo City Council for enrolment if they pay rates on a property in Lockwood Ward and do not hold another voting entitlement in Bendigo City Council. Applications close at 4 pm on 22 July 2026. Call the council on 1300 002 642 to apply.
Is voting compulsory for this by-election?
Yes. Voting in Victorian local council elections is compulsory for everyone on the roll. The VEC enforces this through the non-voter notice process: apparent non-voters receive a notice after the election and may need to provide a valid reason for not voting or pay a fee.
What if my postal address changes between now and October?
Update your details with the VEC as soon as possible. Enrolment changes received after the close of roll at 4 pm on 22 July 2026 will not be reflected in the by-election roll. Contact the VEC on 131 832 if your address changes after that date — they can advise whether alternative arrangements are possible.
Source spine
Primary material used for this guide
- Bendigo City Council, Lockward Ward by-election set for October — official record — checked 2026-07-18
- Legislation — Local Government Act 2020 — government context — checked 2026-07-18
Review trigger: New vacancy by-election announced; close of roll set for 22 July 2026; postal-only election structure confirmed; article requires update when formal election timetable is published with specific October date.
Archive note: This article covers the pre-close-of-roll period of the Lockwood Ward by-election. After the election timetable is published, the specific October date, candidate list and ballot return deadline should be added. After the by-election concludes, update with results and archive.
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.