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The conduct of Council Elections is regulated by the Local Government Act and the Local Government (Electoral) Regulations.
The Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) undertakes the day to day management of the election process.
The VEC is the statutory provider for council elections.
Local Government General Elections in Victoria are held every four years on the fourth Saturday in October.
The next Mornington Peninsula Shire Council election will be held on Saturday 24 October 2020.
Mornington Peninsula Shire Council - Electoral Structure
Mornington Peninsula Shire Council is divided into Six Wards with a total of Eleven Councillors.
Briars Ward (3 Councillors) includes Mount Eliza, Mornington and most of Mount Martha.
Cerberus Ward (1 Councillor) includes Hastings and Bittern.
Red Hill Ward (1 Councillor) includes Red Hill, Merricks North, Balnarring, Somers, Point Leo and Flinders.
Seawinds Ward (3 Councillors) includes Rosebud, Dromana and Safety Beach.
Nepean Ward (2 Councillors) includes Portsea, Sorrento, Blairgowrie, Tootgarook and most of Rye.
Watson Ward (1 Councillor) includes Somerville and Tyabb.
Mornington Peninsula Shire Council - Electoral Structure Map
This structure came into effect at the October 2016 election as a result of a 2016 Subdivision Review
The next scheduled representation review for Mornington Peninsula Council will be conducted before the 2024 Council Elections.
Who can stand as a Candidate in the Mornington Peninsula Shire Council Elections?
A person may nominate as a candidate for an election for any ward of the Mornington Peninsula Shire Council if they are qualified to be a Councillor under the Local Government Act.
To nominate for election as a Councillor, a person:
- must be an Australian citizen
- must be at least 18 years of age on the election day and
- must be enrolled as a voter in the municipal district in which they are standing.
You are not eligible to stand for election if:
- you are an undischarged bankrupt
- your property is subject to control under the law relating to bankruptcy
- you are of unsound mind
- you have been convicted of certain criminal offences (within seven years of the election)
- you work for the Council in which you intend to become a Councillor
- you are a Councillor with another Council or
- you are a Federal Member of Parliament or a Member of Parliament in any state or territory.
Do I need to live in the area?
Candidates must be on the Mornington Peninsula Shire Council Voters Roll. Candidates can stand for election for any ward within the Mornington Peninsula Shire, even if their enrolled address is in a different ward within the municipality.
Training and Assistance
Candidates will be required to undertake mandatory training and will have access to assistance and training through the Victorian Electoral Commission and Victorian Local Governance Association.
further details will be updated shortly.
Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) - Information Sessions
Prior to Nomination Day, the Victorian Electoral Commission will hold information sessions for prospective candidates.
These sessions provide information about the process and enable potential candidates to meet the Returning Officer appointed to run the election.
The Victorian Electoral Commission will provide a comprehensive Candidate Information Kit that describes the election process and timelines.
The kit also explains the requirements of becoming a candidate and includes a copy of the Candidate's Handbook and forms to be completed by candidates.
When made available, a link to the the Candidate's Handbook will be included on this webpage.
Please visit the Victorian Electoral Commission website for further information about Council Elections.
Details and dates of information sessions will be made available from the Victorian Electoral Commission shortly and will be published on this webpage.
Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA) - 2020 Candidate Information and Training Sessions
The Victorian Local Governance Association will be holding candidate information sessions designed to increase understanding of Councils and the role of a Councillor for potential candidates leading up to the 2020 Council Elections.
If you are thinking about running as a candidate in this year's Local Government Elections, candidate information sessions will provide everything you need to know about how Local Government functions and the journey from community member to candidate and Councillor.
Candidate Information and Training Sessions
Mornington Session
When: Saturday 08 August 2020 - 1:00pm to 4:00pm
Where: Mornington Peninsula Shire Council's Mornington Office - 2 Queen Street, Mornington, Vic 3931
Event Cost: Free
Register Here
Rosebud Session
When: Monday 10 August 2020 - 6:00pm to 9:00pm
Where: Mornington Peninsula Shire Council's Rosebud Office - 90 Besgrove Street Rosebud, VIC 3939
Event Cost: Free
Register Here
For further information please visit VLGA - Candidate Information and Training Sessions
Local Women Leading Change Sessions
South East - Local Women Leading Change Session
When: Saturday 18 July 2020 - 11:00am to 3:30pm
Where: Mornington Peninsula Shire Council's Rosebud Office - 90 Besgrove Street Rosebud, VIC 3939
Event Cost: Free
Register Here
For further information or to view available online workshops please visit VLGA - Local Women Leading Change
Mandatory Candidate Training
The Local Government Act 2020 has a requirement for Mandatory Candidate Training. S256 (7) of the Local Government Act 2020 says a person cannot nominate as a candidate for an election as a Councillor unless the person has completed the prescribed training.
For candidates completing the training it will remain valid through the General Election and any by-election.
Candidates will be able to attend any candidate training session in any location and will need to make a declaration of participation to the Victorian Electoral Commission.
The Electoral Regulations will be made by 30 May 2020. The Regulations will prescribe the course to be provided free to candidates.
Further information will be uploaded to this webpage when made available.
The Victorian Local Government Act 2020 received Royal Assent on 24 March 2020. Authorised pdf version: Local Government Act 2020
Key Election Dates for Candidates
Candidates for Council Elections must adhere to certain key dates and conditions.
Entitlement Day - Friday 28 August 2020 (4:00pm)
Entitlement day (57 days before election day) is important for a candidate because it’s the last chance a person has to be correctly enrolled to vote.
Opening of Nominations - Thursday 17 September 2020
Certification of the voter's roll by the Registrar. Opening of the nomination period.
Close of Nominations - Tuesday 22 September 2020 (12 noon)
Candidates must be nominated by 12 noon on the day that is 32 days before the election day. Start of Election (Caretaker) Period.
Lodgement Deadline - Wednesday 23 September 2020 (12 noon)
Candidates personal statements and photographs must be lodged by 12 noon. Lodgement of candidate questionnaires deadline 12 noon.
Close of Voting - Friday 23 October 2002 (6:00pm)
Ballot papers must be posted by 6.00pm on the day before the election day.
Election Day - Saturday 24 October 2020
The election day is the last Saturday in October – 24 October 2020. Extraction and counting activities for postal elections commence. Postal vote receipt period closes 12 pm, Friday 30 October 2020.
Declaration of the Poll - Sunday 25 October - Friday 6 November 2020
The Returning Officer will publicly declare results after the votes have been counted and scrutineers have had time to examine the record of the count. Public declaration to take place no later than Friday 6 November 2020.
Campaign Donations
Local Government Election candidates are required by law to provide a record of whether they did or did not receive any donations or gifts, including in-kind support, for their election campaign.
You’re required under Victorian law to provide a completed campaign donation return if you:
- have received donations or gifts, or
- haven’t received donations or gifts
- were successfully elected, or
- weren’t elected.
The donation or gift, including in-kind support must be:
- Individually valued at over $500.
- Offered during the donation period. This means the period starting 30 days after the previous election and ending 30 days after the current election.
Under the Local Government Act 2020 , all candidates in Victorian Council Elections must submit a Return within 40 days of Election Day.
Complete a Campaign Donation Return
Download and complete the donation return and send the completed form to the Chief Executive Officer.
Campaign Donation Return
For further information please visit Local Government Inspectorate
Mornington Peninsula Shire Council Elections were held in October 2016.
For full information, please check: Mornington Peninsula Shire Council 2016 Election Results
The Returning Officer declared the results of the elections on Wednesday 2 November 2016:
Briars Ward
Cr Bev Colomb, Cr Sam Hearn and Cr Rosie Clark
Cerberus Ward
Cr Kate Roper
Nepean Ward
Cr Bryan Payne and Cr Hugh Fraser
Red Hill Ward
Cr David Gill
Seawinds Ward
Cr Antonella Celi, Cr Simon Brooks and Cr Frank Martin
Watson Ward
Cr Julie Morris
First Term Councillors
Cr Sam Hearn, Cr Rosie Clark, Cr Kate Roper, Cr Bryan Payne, Cr David Gill, Cr Simon Brooks, and Cr Julie (Edge) Morris.
Returning Councillors
Cr Bev Colomb, Cr Hugh Fraser, Cr Antonella Celi and Cr Frank Martin who was a Mornington Peninsula Shire Councillor 2008-2014
Term of Office
Council were sworn into Office at the Annual Council Meeting held Monday 14 November 2016.
General elections are run every four years. All sitting Councillors including the Mayor will go out of office at 6 am on Election Day 24 October 2020.
Campaign donation returns - 2016
The Local Government Elections in Victoria were held on 22 October 2016 by postal vote and conducted by the Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) on behalf of Council. Pursuant to Section 62 of the Local Government Act 1989, Candidates are required within 40 days after the election day to provide an election campaign donation return.
All candidates must lodge a return within 40 days of the 2016 general election (by 1 December 2016), even if they were not elected or did not receive any campaign donations or gifts. Council is required to make available the 'election campaign donation return' a record of significant gifts received by election candidates for use in their election campaigns. These returns ensure public transparency about the level of financial and in-kind support given to candidates by individuals and organisations during elections.
Completed campaign donation returns are available for public inspection at the Council offices for four years after the election.
2016 Election Campaign Donation Returns(PDF, 66KB)