Voters need good excuse

NEARLY half a million non-voters across 73 councils will receive failure-to-vote notice for last year’s council elections.
While no infringement notice is attached, the Victorian Electorial Commission (VEC) is after an explanation from the 478,000 non-voters.
Recipients are advised not to ignore it and those who do not respond or who fail to provide a sufficient excuse may be issued with an infringement notice carrying a $70 penalty.
Compulsory voting enforcement encompasses a three-stage process, with the apparent failure-to-vote notice being the first stage. Any apparent non-voters without a sufficient reason or who fail to reply may then be issued with an infringement notice.
A $70 penalty applies to this notice, which will be collected on behalf of individual councils.
Lastly, a penalty reminder notice is sent to those with an outstanding infringement.
An apparent failure-to-vote notice will not be issued to those who are automatically excused from their requirement to vote at local council elections, such as those who are over 70 years of age.