Ballot packs mailed for Latrobe City Council Morwell River Ward by-election - what you need to know before 31 July

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Ballot packs mailed for Latrobe City Council Morwell River Ward by-election - what you need to know before 31 July

Ballot packs for the Latrobe City Council Morwell River Ward postal by-election were mailed to all enrolled voters from Monday 13 July 2026. The Victorian Electoral Commission is urging voters to complete and return their ballot material as soon as possible, with voting closing at 6 pm on Friday 31 July 2026. Election Manager Janette Gibson said voters should check their mail and act promptly. 'This election is postal, so it's important to complete and return your ballot material as soon as possible to make sure your vote counts,' Ms Gibson said. Ballot material must be in the mail or hand-delivered to the election office at 40-50 Queens Parade, Traralgon by the 6 pm deadline on 31 July. The ballot packs contain everything voters need: a ballot paper listing the five candidates for the vacant Morwell River Ward councillor position, candidate statements and photographs where provided, a ballot paper envelope, a reply-paid envelope, and a multilingual instruction leaflet. Voters who have not received their ballot pack by Tuesday 21 July 2026 should call 131 832 during business hours to request a replacement.

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.

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What's in your ballot pack and how to complete it

Every enrolled voter in Morwell River Ward should have received — or will shortly receive — a ballot pack in the mail. The pack contains five items: a ballot paper listing the five candidates in their determined order, candidate statements and photographs where provided, a ballot paper envelope for your completed vote, a reply-paid envelope for return postage, and a multilingual instruction leaflet explaining the voting process in languages other than English.

The ballot paper lists the five candidates — Rob Moffatt, Dean Sutton, John Ellingham, Guss Lambden, and Graham Lougheed — in the order randomised by the VEC at the close of nominations. Voters must use the full preferential voting system: place a '1' next to your first preference, a '2' next to your second preference, and continue numbering every box until all five candidates have a number. A ballot paper that does not number every box may be informal and not counted.

After marking your ballot paper, fold it and seal it inside the ballot paper envelope provided. You must then sign the declaration on the envelope — an unsigned declaration means your vote cannot be counted. Place the signed envelope inside the reply-paid envelope and either post it back or hand-deliver it to the election office. No stamp is required for return by post within Australia.

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How to return your vote before the 31 July deadline

Completed ballot material must be in the mail or delivered to the election office at 40-50 Queens Parade, Traralgon by 6 pm on Friday 31 July 2026. This is a hard deadline — votes received after 6 pm cannot be counted, even if they were posted before the deadline but arrived late.

For voters posting their ballot packs, the VEC warns that local mail clearance times may be earlier than 6 pm, or even earlier in the week. Australia Post collection times vary by location, and a letter dropped in a street posting box may not be collected until the next business day. The VEC strongly recommends posting your completed ballot pack well before 31 July to allow sufficient delivery time.

Voters who prefer not to rely on the postal system can hand-deliver their completed ballot pack directly to the election office at 40-50 Queens Parade, Traralgon during business hours, up to 6 pm on Friday 31 July. The election office is open on weekdays and serves as the central hub for the by-election. Voters should check opening hours before visiting and allow time for travel and parking.

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Replacement ballot packs: what to do if yours is missing or damaged

The VEC expects all ballot packs to have arrived by Tuesday 21 July 2026. Voters who have not received their pack by this date should call 131 832 during business hours to request a replacement. The VEC can issue a replacement ballot pack and arrange for it to be sent to the voter's enrolled address or, in some cases, an alternative address.

Replacement ballot packs are also available if your original pack is lost, damaged or unusable. If you accidentally damage your ballot paper while completing it — for example, by spilling liquid on it or marking it incorrectly — do not attempt to fix it with correction fluid or by crossing out. Call 131 832 for a fresh ballot pack instead.

Voters who will be away from their enrolled address during the voting period, or whose mailing address has changed since the roll closed on 20 May 2026, can arrange for a replacement ballot pack to be sent to a different address by calling 131 832. Voters outside Victoria can call +613 8620 1100. If you need a large print or braille ballot pack, registrations for this by-election have closed, but you can register for future elections by calling 03 8620 1314 or emailing BrailleAndLargePrint@vec.vic.gov.au.

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Compulsory voting and what happens if you do not vote

Voting in this by-election is compulsory for every voter who was on the electoral roll for Morwell River Ward at 4 pm on Wednesday 20 May 2026. The VEC has confirmed that voters who do not vote may be fined. After the election, the VEC cross-references returned ballot declarations against the electoral roll and issues non-voter notices to those who appear not to have voted.

If you receive a non-voter notice, you must respond with a valid reason for not voting. Valid reasons may include being hospitalised, being away from home and unable to arrange a replacement ballot pack in time, or other circumstances that genuinely prevented you from voting. If you do not respond or your reason is not accepted, an infringement notice with a monetary penalty may be issued.

Voters who have moved address since 20 May 2026 should be aware of their obligations. If you moved within Morwell River Ward after Wednesday 21 May, you must still vote in this by-election using the ballot pack sent to your enrolled address or by arranging a replacement. If you moved out of the ward after 21 May, you are still required to vote or risk a fine for this election.

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Candidate information and how to vote

The five candidates for the Morwell River Ward vacancy are listed in the ballot pack, and the VEC website at vec.vic.gov.au provides access to candidate statements and photographs where candidates have supplied them. Answers to the VEC's candidate questionnaire are also available online for candidates who completed it.

The VEC does not provide analysis, endorsements or recommendations on candidates. Its role is to conduct the election impartially. Voters should read the candidate statements included in their ballot packs and available online, compare the candidates' platforms and priorities, and make their own decision on how to number the ballot paper.

Under the full preferential voting system, your vote stays active even if your first-preference candidate is eliminated. When your first-choice candidate is excluded from the count because they have the fewest votes, your vote flows to your second preference, and so on, until one candidate achieves a majority. This means it is always worth numbering every box — your later preferences may determine the final result.

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VEC contact channels and election support

Voters with questions about the by-election can contact the VEC on 131 832 during business hours. This number handles general enquiries about enrolment, ballot packs, replacement ballot packs, voting instructions and the return process. The election office at 40-50 Queens Parade, Traralgon can also assist with in-person enquiries during business hours.

The VEC publishes comprehensive information about the Latrobe City Council Morwell River Ward by-election on its website at vec.vic.gov.au, including the full election timetable, candidate list, candidate statements, public notices, and instructional videos on how to complete a council ballot paper. Information is also available in multiple languages.

For voters who are blind or have low vision, the VEC offers large print and braille ballot packs. While registrations for this specific by-election have closed, voters can register at any time for future elections by calling 03 8620 1314 between 9 am and 5 pm Monday to Friday, or by emailing BrailleAndLargePrint@vec.vic.gov.au. For voters outside Victoria, the international contact number is +613 8620 1100.

Common questions

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