Ballot packs were mailed to over 4.4 million voters from Monday 7 October, with the Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) today reporting that 61.33% had been returned at close of business yesterday, with voting set to close at 6 pm today.
Postal votes can be dropped off at election offices by 6 pm today and those mailed by 6 pm tonight can be accepted until 12 noon on Friday 1 November, the Commission said in a statement.
The overall statewide turnout rate in 2020 was 81.47%, with the final turnout for 2024 likely to be known after the close of the postal vote receipt period on Friday 1 November.
Electoral Commissioner, Sven Bluemmel says that while some issues have been raised regarding the non-receipt of ballot packs and changes of addresses, the VEC worked closely with Australia Post to deliver over 100,000 replacement ballot packs, many of which were to alternative addresses since the close of roll.
Extraction of ballot papers from envelopes commences from tomorrow, with counting commencing on Monday.
“The counting of votes will take place over the next 3 weeks locally within each council wherever possible,” Mr Bluemmel says.
The VEC anticipates that all elections will be declared by Friday 15 November.
