2024 Glenelg Shire Council Election

In accordance with the Local Government Act, Councils must comply with special arrangements in the lead up to elections, known as the Election Period (formerly known as ‘caretaker period’).

During an election period the Council, as an organisation will continue to operate as normal, however there are restrictions placed on decision making and information Council can communicate during this time.

The purpose of an election period is to ensure:

• Council actions do not risk interfering with the election process or influence voting
• the election process is conducted in an ethical, fair, and equitable way
• safeguards the authority of the incoming council

Commencing on the last day of candidacy nominations and concluding at 6pm on election day, the 2024 election period extends from 12 Noon Tuesday September 17 until 6pm Saturday 26 October 2024.

During the election period, Council will follow procedures to prevent making decisions that could affect voting or unreasonably bind an incoming Council and could otherwise be reasonably deferred until after the election.

To ensure compliance with Glenelg Shire Council - Election Period Policy and the Local Government Act 2020, restrictions and limitations will apply to the following:

• Engagement and consultation with the community
• Material produced by councils must not contain matter that will affect voting at the election
• Social media posts and comments
• Communication with the community including newsletters and advertising
• Adopting policies and strategies
• Allocating grants to community organisations
• Major decisions such as planning scheme amendments and advocacy positions

Resources for Candidates

The Victorian Electoral Commission website and the State Government Local Government Victoria website and this website will be progressively updated in the lead up to the 2024 election.

Glenelg Shire Council is committed to encouraging diversity in people nominating for and being elected to Council. Below are a number of third-party resources which may be of assistance.

2024 MAV Citizen to Councillor Guide(PDF, 12MB)

Local Government Inspectorate Election Fact Sheets

Women Leading Locally

Equality and Diversity in Local Government

A handbook for culturally diverse Victorians considering running for local government

VEC free online Voter Education Sessions

The VEC deliver free online voter education sessions about elections to communities including people with a disability, experiencing homelessness, from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds, culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and young people from all communities.  Voter education sessions can be delivered in some community languages and the VEC can provide interpreters.

For more information or to book a session visit the VEC website or you can e-mail education@vec.vic.gov.au, call on 131 832, or in other languages (03) 9209 0112, or via the National Relay Service (03) 8620 1100.

All voting in council elections is by post. We send ballot packs to all enrolled voters for you to complete and send back.

If you own more than one property in a council area, you get one vote.

Enrolling in Local Council Elections

In a council election there are 2 types of voters:

• state-enrolled voters
• council-enrolled voters.

State-enrolled voters

You must vote in your local council election if you are on the state roll by 4 pm on the day the roll closes. If you do not vote, you may get a fine.

Council-enrolled voters

Council-enrolled voters include ratepayers who are property owners, occupiers or corporations.

You can apply to become a council-enrolled voter directly with your council if you are:

• 18 years or older
• a property owner, occupier or represent a corporation
• not a state-enrolled voter within the council area.

If you are on the council roll, you must vote. If you don’t vote, you may get a fine.

To find out if you are on the council roll, contact your council directly.