Murrindindi Shire Council Kinglake Ward by-election: set for December 2026

The short answer

Murrindindi Shire Council Kinglake Ward by-election: set for December 2026

A by-election will be held for the Kinglake Ward of the Murrindindi Shire Council in December 2026, after the resignation of Councillor Jodi Adams. The Victorian Electoral Commission says the by-election will be conducted entirely by post, and voters must be correctly enrolled by the close of roll at 4 pm on Wednesday 23 September 2026. In a postal by-election, enrolment and postal address details matter, so the commission is asking residents and ratepayers to check that their details — including any alternative postal address — are correct. Local council elections are postal, and voting is compulsory for enrolled voters in the ward. Around 1,804 Victorians are currently enrolled in the ward, which takes in Kinglake, Kinglake Central, Castella and Toolangi and surrounds.

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 by-election is about

The by-election is for one councillor position in the Kinglake Ward of the Murrindindi Shire Council, and follows the resignation of Councillor Jodi Adams. The Victorian Electoral Commission released the details on 21 August 2026, saying the by-election is scheduled for December 2026 and will be conducted entirely by post. Because the seat falls vacant between general elections, the commission is running a by-election to fill it rather than leaving the position empty.

Murrindindi Shire is a council in Victoria to the north-east of Melbourne. The Kinglake Ward includes Kinglake, Kinglake Central, Castella and Toolangi and their surrounds, and around 1,804 Victorians are enrolled in the ward. Voters in the ward will elect a single councillor.

Evidence review

Key dates and enrolment deadline

The critical date is the close of roll: 4 pm on Wednesday 23 September 2026. Electoral Commissioner Sven Bluemmel is asking residents and ratepayers to be ready, and to ensure they are correctly enrolled. Because the by-election is conducted by post, the address the commission holds is important — both the residential address and any alternative postal address.

Voting is compulsory for enrolled voters in a Victorian local council election. First-time voters and those who have moved should check and update their enrolment, which can be done online at vec.vic.gov.au/enrolment. The commission also encourages eligible ratepayers to apply to vote, since the council makes decisions about local community services and businesses.

Voters should note that local council elections in Victoria are conducted by post, so a recent residential move, a change of postal address or a new enrolment should be updated before the close of roll. The commission's public advice is that a correctly enrolled voter will receive a ballot paper at the address it holds, and that returning it on time is the voter's responsibility.

Evidence review

Who can apply to enrol as a ratepayer or corporation

In addition to enrolled residents, ratepayers can apply to the council to be enrolled to vote in Kinglake Ward. Property owners, occupiers and corporations that pay rates on property in the ward can apply, even if they are not Australian citizens, as long as they do not have another voting entitlement in the Murrindindi Shire Council. Applications close at the same time as the roll, 4 pm on Wednesday 23 September 2026.

Ratepayers can apply by calling the council on (03) 5772 0333. Owner-ratepayers and occupier-ratepayers who were automatically enrolled for the 2024 general election for the Murrindindi Shire Council will continue to be enrolled for the by-election, unless their circumstances have changed. Council-enrolled voters can check their enrolment by calling the same number.

Evidence review

Why postal and compulsory voting matters here

The by-election is a postal election, which means every eligible voter is sent a ballot paper by post and must return it by the deadline. The Victorian Electoral Commission's advice is that voters check their enrolment and postal address early, so the ballot reaches them. In a local council by-election, voting is compulsory for enrolled electors, and ratepayers who are enrolled may also vote.

The commission says the council makes important decisions about community services and businesses, so it is encouraging people to have their say. Any voter who is not enrolled, or whose details have changed, should act before 4 pm on 23 September 2026 to make sure they can participate.

Evidence review

What to do now

If you live in Kinglake Ward and you are an Australian citizen aged 18 or over, check that you are enrolled and that the commission holds your current address. You can enrol or update your details online at vec.vic.gov.au/enrolment. If you are a ratepayer, property owner or occupier, or a corporation with an interest in the ward, you may be able to apply to the council to enrol by calling (03) 5772 0333 before the 23 September 2026 close of roll.

The commission's media release also reminds people that enrolment for the by-election closes at 4 pm on Wednesday 23 September 2026, and that the poll will be conducted entirely by post in December 2026. The exact polling date and the candidate nomination timetable will be confirmed by the Victorian Electoral Commission closer to the election.

Common questions

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