Moriac, Winchelsea, NW Torquay, Modewarre, Freshwater Creek, Buckley, Gherang, Wensleydale, Barrabool, Paraparap, Gnarwarre, Winchelsea South, Bambra

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Council Elections

How your vote matters
Key dates
About Winchelsea Ward
Winchelsea Ward map

Your vote does matter

There are around 11,000 voters in the Winchelsea Ward, which means each of the 3 required councillors needs around 2,800 votes.

  • That 2,800 can be achieved directly (ie. people put a "1" against that name) in which case the candidate is a chosen councillor straight away.
  • That 2,800 can also be achieved indirectly, by allocating surplus votes given to the winner(s) or the votes given to the least popular candidate to the remaining candidates according to who was marked as second choice ("proportional counting"). This process is repeated until the final 3 candidates have been determine. Find out more

Accordingly, when you vote by putting candidates in order of your preference, it may well matter which number you give to who.

So please, don't simply give someone a "1" and put all the rest in whatever.

Elections in Australia are mandatory, and there are fines for those who don't have a good reason for failing to vote. This makes a small percentage cranky.

They can spoil their vote with comments and/or drawings in which case their vote is not counted (so no big deal).

Or they can simply fill in the voting form starting 1 at the top and going down in order (aka a "donkey vote"). Sadly, this does affect the result - and if candidates are close, can determine the outcome. The term apparently derives from being akin to an animal following a simple, predetermined path.

If you know someone intending to vote this way, it's in all our interests for them not to be a donkey. It only takes seconds, and ANY thought put into choosing the order is better than none.

Key Dates

The timeline for 2024 elections

7 Aug 4pm Close of rolls

Make sure you have enrolled to vote with the VEC (Victorian Electoral Commission) by 4pm. You may be entitled to vote in more than one council election.

Check Your Enrolment

9 Sep 9am Nominations open

Candidate for election can register with the VEC (Victorian Electoral Commission) Eligibility conditions and fees apply.

17 Sep 12pm Nominations close

The required nomination form, candidate statements, photographs, and questionnaires must have been submitted in person.

18 Sep Ballot draw

Random selection of candidates for the order to list on voting forms.

7 Oct Ballot pack mailout begins

Progressive postal mailing of voting forms and material to all registered electors. Council elections are only by mail (no voting booths).

25 Oct 6pm Voting closes

Completed voting forms must be returned (postmarked) before 6pm Friday 25 October, or they won't be counted.

15 Nov Results deadline

Latest date for declaration of results.

Facts about Winchelsea Ward

Voters: Around 11,000 voters

Area: Around 980 sq km.

Townships: Bambra, Barrabool, Bellbrae, Buckley, Connewarre, Freshwater Creek, Gherang, Gnawarre, Modewarre, Moriac, Mount Duneed, Ombersley, Paraparap, Torquay North-west, Wensleydale, Winchelsea, Wurdiboluc

Interactive Map: The Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) are responsible for managing and running Council elections. You can see an interactive map for any Council including Surf Coast Shire, which lets you zoom in to see exactly where the borders of each Ward lie. Head over to maps.vec.vic.gov.au

See the Surf Coast Shire wards map (VEC)

One interesting aspect is the significant slice of Torquay that has had to be carved out and included in Winchelsea Ward in order to balance out the number of voters per Councillor.

State legislation requires the same number of Councillors in each ward (or a single overall ward), which led to the recent review and restructure. 3 wards of 3 Councillors was their final recommendation which State government accepted and activated.

Surf Coast Shire ward map