It was the election where every vote counted: Wyndham’s 2016 council poll.
With just eight votes separating two candidates in the October election, residents were reminded of the importance of having their say. But, it seems, a number of ballot papers never made it to the Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC).
Star Weekly has heard from more than 50 Wyndham residents who claim they have received notices from the VEC seeking an explanation as to why they failed to vote, despite sending their ballot papers off well before the deadline.
Krystle Hills said her papers seemed to never have made it to the commission despite being posted well before deadline. She said it was frustrating. “I posted them in so I assumed everything would be fine. It seems strange.”
Natalie Todaro, of Werribee South, is in the same boat, and says her neighbours also received the same notice despite sending their ballot papers off.
A VEC spokesman said all votes returned were counted and reconciled, and were not misplaced at their end. “There is no evidence or trend to suggest any errors or miscalculations have been made in the number of apparent failure-to-vote notices issued.” He said the notices were not fines but an opportunity for people to provide an explanation.
Australia Post has denied any role in ballot papers not making it to the VEC.
“Australia Post is confident there were no delivery delays within the Wyndham municipality and surrounding regions,” its spokesman said.
“All ballot papers were delivered as addressed and according to our delivery timetables. We worked closely with the VEC for a number of months to prepare for the council elections.”
