Council elections 2024
Overview
Councillors are the local government representatives, elected by you, to make decisions for the local government area of Cardinia Shire. Victorian Council elections are held every 4 years.
The Cardinia Shire Council election is being held by post this October and operated entirely by the Victorian Electoral Commission.
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.
Election Campaign Donation Return Summary
The Local Government Act 2020, sets out the requirement that within 40 days a person who was a candidate in the election must give an election campaign donation return (the Return) to the Chief Executive Officer. The Return must be in the prescribed form and contain the prescribed details in respect of any gifts received during the donation period by or on behalf of the candidate, to be used for or in connection with the election campaign, the amount or value of which is equal to or exceeds the gift disclosure threshold.
The Chief Executive Officer must ensure that a summary of an election campaign donation return is made available on the Council's Internet site until the close of the roll for the next general election. Candidates from the recent Council General Election submitted an Election Campaign Donation Return in accordance with Section 306 of the Local Government Act 2020.
View the 2024 Election Campaign Donation Returns Summary
Key dates
- 12 noon, Tuesday 17 September – nominations for candidates close.
- Monday 7 October to Thursday 10 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.
Candidate information
If you wish to stand as a candidate in this election, please visit Victorian Electoral Commission website, for nomination and eligibility information.
Candidate Information Register
In accordance with Section 8.7.3 of the Election Period Policy, an Information Request Register will be maintained by the Manager Governance Safety & Property commencing from nomination day. This Register will be a public document that records all requests for any information by candidates, and the responses given to those requests. It will be updated weekly.
Candidate request for information register 2024
Citizen to Councillor Guide
The Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) Citizen to Councillor Guide is a comprehensive resource to becoming a local government councillor in Victoria.
From understanding the role of a councillor to navigating the election campaign, the Guide covers every aspect of becoming a local government representative, ensuring candidates are well-prepared for the challenges and rewards of public office.
Voting information
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 can check your enrolment status on the Victorian Electoral Commission website.
Voting by post
Ballot packs will be mailed to enrolled voters from Monday 7 October. Complete and return your ballot material ASAP. Ballot material must be in the mail or delivered to the election manager by 6 pm on Friday 25 October.
If you will be away
If you will be away when ballot packs are mailed, or your address has changed since Wednesday 7 August, you can request for your ballot pack to be redirected by completing the online redirection form at vec.vic.gov.au/redirections, or call 131 832. Requests for redirection must be received by 5 pm on Monday 9 September.
Large print and braille ballot papers
Large print or braille ballot papers are available for voters who are blind or have low vision – please register by 5 pm Tuesday 10 September. To register, call 03 8620 1314 during business hours.
Early votes
You can can cast an early vote from today only if you are planning to be away during mailing of the postal votes (7-10 October). As this is a postal election, voters must wait for the ballot pack to arrive in the post unless they are planning to be away during the voting period (7 October -25 October).
The Cardinia Shire Council election office is located at:
Comely Banks
125 Bridge Road
Officer
Ward boundary review 2024
Cardinia Shire's ward boundaries have been set by the Victorian Electoral Commission and the Minister for Local Government, with the new boundaries in effect from 28 May 2024.