Council elections 2024 and VEC Ward Boundary Review
Key points
- Councillors are the local government representatives, elected by you, to make decisions for the local government area of Cardinia Shire. Council elections in Victoria are held every 4 years.
- You must vote in Council elections if you are enrolled to vote.
- You will automatically be enrolled to vote in Council elections if you are on the Victorian electoral roll.
- Other ratepayers can apply to be a Council-enrolled voter.
The next Council elections will be held by post in October 2024. See key dates.
Ward boundary review 2024 – Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC)
Cardinia Shire is comprised of 9 single councillor wards, put in place after a ward boundary review in 2020. You can view current ward boundaries here.
The VEC is conducting a review of Cardinia Shire Council's ward boundaries. You’re invited to tell the VEC your thoughts on the proposed ward boundaries.
VEC website – Cardinia Shire Ward Boundary review and community consultation
This consultation will open on Wednesday 28 February 2024 and close at 5pm on Wednesday 20 March 2024.
What is a ward boundary review?
At the request of the Minister for Local Government, the VEC reviews the internal boundaries (wards) of a council when the number of voters per councillor is forecast to be outside the legislated +/- 10% tolerance in one or more wards at the next local council election. This makes sure each voter is represented equally at the next local council election.
Voting in Cardinia Shire elections
If you are enrolled to vote (State-enrolled or Council-enrolled), you must vote in your local council elections, or you may receive a fine.
You have one vote per council. If you are a state-enrolled voter, that is the enrolment you use to vote.
Enrolling for local council elections | Victorian Electoral Commission (vec.vic.gov.au)
Check your enrolment status
You can check your enrolment status on the Victorian Electoral Commission website:
Check My Enrolment | Victorian Electoral Commission (vec.vic.gov.au)
State-enrolled voters
If you are on the Victorian electoral roll with an address in Cardinia Shire – then you will automatically be enrolled to vote in the 2024 Cardinia Shire elections and you must vote.
Please make sure your details are up to date with the Victorian Electoral Commission by 4pm Friday 30 August (see key dates).
If you want to apply to be a Council-enrolled voter
The rules have changed for Council-enrolled voters - you must apply (or re-apply) to vote in the 2024 Council elections, even if you have voted in previous Cardinia Shire elections.
You can apply to become a council-enrolled voter for Cardinia Shire elections if you are:
- classified as a Cardinia Shire ratepayer
- 18 years or older
- not already a State-enrolled voter within the council area.
For example, you:
- are a property owner
- are an occupier – this is usually for retail business tenants who are required to pay the Cardinia Shire rates as part of their lease agreements
- or represent a corporation that owns property
at an address in Cardinia Shire.
For more information and examples, visit the Victorian Electoral Commission website.
Once you are enrolled, you must vote for the October 2024 elections. If you don’t vote, you may get a fine. You will also remain enrolled for any council by-elections.
More info? Enrolling for local council elections | Victorian Electoral Commission (vec.vic.gov.au)
Enrolments expire for occupier ratepayers and corporations
Council-enrolments for occupiers and corporations expire before the next local government general election. These ratepayers will need to apply each new general election year.
We will send you an invitation when it is time to renew your enrolment.
Applications open soon
Our online form to apply to be a Council-enrolled voter will be open soon – expected April 2024.
Once the form is open, you will need to apply to be a Council-enrolled voter by 4pm 30 August (see key dates).
Key dates for the 2024 elections
Cardinia Shire will have a postal election in 2024. Our election dates are set by the Victorian Electoral Commission.
- 4pm Friday 30 August – Entitlement date – you must ensure you apply or update your enrolment status by this date.
- 12pm Tuesday 24 September – nominations for candidates close at noon.
- Wednesday 9 October – Friday 11 October – Victorian Electoral Commission sends out postal voting packs to enrolled voters.
- 6pm Friday 25 October – voting closes – your ballot paper must be in the mail by this time.
- Saturday 26 October – Official election date – postal voting has now closed.
Information for candidates
- Become a local council candidate – Victorian Electoral Commision
- Local Government Candidate Training - Victorian Government
Check back on this page later, more information will be added for candidates in the lead-up to the election.