THE voter turnout at last year’s Swan Hill Council election increased by nearly 4 per cent compared to four years ago.
According to the Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) 2020 Local Government Elections Report, tabled in State Parliament last week, there were 14,529 eligible voters, of which 11,447 votes were cast, representing a 78.79 per cent voter turnout.
There were 573 informal votes (5 per cent).
At the 2016 polls, of 12,635 eligible voters, 9531 votes were received (75.43 per cent turnout).
In last year’s election seven candidates were elected in an unsubdivided ward structure.
In the neighbouring Gannawarra Shire, there was an 83 per cent voter turnout, an increase of 1.6 per cent on 2016.
Electoral commissioner Warwick Gately said voter turnout hit new record highs – in the middle of a global pandemic – with voter turnout jumping from a statewide average of 72.15 per cent in 2016 to 81.45 per cent in 2020.
The report found informal voting – ballot papers not completed according to the instructions – also fell from 6.29 per cent in 2016 to 4.76 per cent in 2020.
Mr Gately said while overall participation was high, there was a decline in the number of council-enrolled voters – voters enrolled as a ratepayer on the council roll – down from 626,894 in 2016 to 435,548 in 2020.
He said this was largely attributable to amendments to the Local Government Act 2020, which required non-resident ratepayers not enrolled with councils at the last election to apply directly to the council to enrol.
“This trend is set to continue with transitional arrangements under the Act ending before the next general election, when all non-resident ratepayers will be required to apply directly to council to enrol for the 2024 general election,” Mr Gately said.
“Recommendation eight in the election report calls for government to amend legislation, which would require councils to contact all eligible council-enrolled voters and notify them of their enrolment eligibility.”
Mr Gately also pointed to the unique challenges of conducting an election during a global pandemic, setting 2020 apart from other statewide elections.
“Despite the prevailing restrictions, disruptions, changes and community anxieties, the VEC delivered an election program that was compliant, accurate and – above all – safe, allowing every Victorian to elect their local council representative,” Mr Gately said.
