THE local government election process will be reviewed as part of a
state government plan to boost voter turnout and reduce complaints.
Local Government Minister Jeanette Powell announced the review
after last October’s elections were plagued by low participation rates,
confusion about voting methods and complaints about candidate conduct.
Wyndham council has previously called on the government to provide
voters with more education, arguing many migrants did not understand
the election process.
In Wyndham, voter turnout fell to 67 per cent, down from 74 per cent at the 2008 election.
The inspectorate received three written complaints about the conduct of Wyndham candidates during the campaign.
The council also believes many residents did not vote because they were confused about how the poll was being run.
It maintains that many people thought they had to vote in person, rather than return their ballot paper by post.
Cr Shane Bourke blamed the high number of candidates standing in some wards, saying it had deterred people from voting.
Nineteen candidates stood for election in Chaffey ward, while 18 people nominated in Harrison ward and nine in Iramoo.
There was 22 nominations in total in 2008.
“Some voters received oversized candidate statement sheets and
ballot papers with many names, making voting seem like a daunting
task,’’ Cr Bourke said.
‘‘The [government] needs to help voters make sense of the process before the next election.”
Ms Powell said the review, which will be completed by April, would return integrity to council elections.
“All Victorians should have faith in the system that elects local
representatives to govern and make important decision affecting their
communities,” she said.
