Victorian Electoral Commission
Encyclopedia
The Victorian Electoral Commission (formerly State Electoral Office), or VEC, is the government agency responsible for the running of state, municipal and various non-government elections in Victoria.
, although during the state election there may be as many as sixty offices established around Victoria.
The Victorian Electoral Commission is subject to oversight by the Victorian State Parliament Electoral Matters Committee which regularly holds inquiries into the conduct of public elections and associated matters in Victoria.
was held on Saturday, 27 November 2010. Prior to 2006, Victorian parliamentary elections could be held any time at the discretion of the government in the last year of their four year term of office. This has meant that, in practice, the average period between elections had been somewhat less than the maximum four years. From 2006 the Victorian Parliament has fixed terms with the election being held every fourth year on the last Saturday in November. The next Victorian State Government election is scheduled to be held in Saturday 29 November 2014.
At the 2010 election, the Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) used mapping software to better predict the number of voters likely to attend each polling place in an effort to reduce queues.
(AEC) and the VEC, but the AEC withdrew. The VEC still submits tenders to each council to run the municipal elections. The most recent batch of municipal elections were held in November 2008.
, City of Boroondara
) there are areas which require approval of residents for a liquor licence to be granted. In such circumstances the VEC conducts these polls.
), the VEC maintains its own roll rather than depending on the Commonwealth roll as maintained by the AEC. The VEC still receives updates from the AEC to ensure that the Commonwealth and Victorian rolls mirror each other.
The VEC conducts several promotional programs to ensure that electors update their information by filling in Electoral Enrolment Forms when their details change.
An Independent Agency
Although it is an independent agency, the Commission falls under the Department of Justice umbrella. The Commission head office is located on level 11, 530 Collins Street, MelbourneMelbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
, although during the state election there may be as many as sixty offices established around Victoria.
The Victorian Electoral Commission is subject to oversight by the Victorian State Parliament Electoral Matters Committee which regularly holds inquiries into the conduct of public elections and associated matters in Victoria.
State Elections
The primary function of the VEC is to conduct Victorian state elections, the last of whichVictorian state election, 2010
The 2010 Victorian state election was held on 27 November. The incumbent centre-left Australian Labor Party government, led by John Brumby, was defeated by the centre-right Liberal/National Coalition opposition, led by Ted Baillieu....
was held on Saturday, 27 November 2010. Prior to 2006, Victorian parliamentary elections could be held any time at the discretion of the government in the last year of their four year term of office. This has meant that, in practice, the average period between elections had been somewhat less than the maximum four years. From 2006 the Victorian Parliament has fixed terms with the election being held every fourth year on the last Saturday in November. The next Victorian State Government election is scheduled to be held in Saturday 29 November 2014.
At the 2010 election, the Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) used mapping software to better predict the number of voters likely to attend each polling place in an effort to reduce queues.
Municipal Elections
Municipal, or local government, elections are conducted by the VEC in Victoria. Previously there was a system of competitive tendering between the Australian Electoral CommissionAustralian Electoral Commission
The Australian Electoral Commission, or the AEC, is the federal government agency in charge of organising and supervising federal elections and referendums. State and local government elections are overseen by the Electoral Commission in each state and territory.The Australian Electoral Commission...
(AEC) and the VEC, but the AEC withdrew. The VEC still submits tenders to each council to run the municipal elections. The most recent batch of municipal elections were held in November 2008.
Non Government Elections
Private organisations also hire the VEC to conduct elections for them. These may include board elections.Liquor Licensing Polls
In some municipalities (e.g. City of WhitehorseCity of Whitehorse
The City of Whitehorse is a Local Government Area in Victoria, Australia. It is located in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne. It has an area of and has a estimated population of 155,725 people....
, City of Boroondara
City of Boroondara
The City of Boroondara is a Local Government Area in Victoria, Australia. It is located in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne.This area was originally occupied by the Wurundjeri, Indigenous Australians of the Kulin nation....
) there are areas which require approval of residents for a liquor licence to be granted. In such circumstances the VEC conducts these polls.
Electoral Enrolment
The VEC has its own Electoral Enrolment Branch which is responsible for maintaining the State Electoral Roll. Unlike all other states (with the exception of Western AustraliaWestern Australia
Western Australia is a state of Australia, occupying the entire western third of the Australian continent. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Great Australian Bight and Indian Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the north-east and South Australia to the south-east...
), the VEC maintains its own roll rather than depending on the Commonwealth roll as maintained by the AEC. The VEC still receives updates from the AEC to ensure that the Commonwealth and Victorian rolls mirror each other.
The VEC conducts several promotional programs to ensure that electors update their information by filling in Electoral Enrolment Forms when their details change.
Boundary Redistributions
The VEC assists the Electoral Boundaries Commission in redistributing state electoral boundaries from time to time. It also performs similar tasks in relation to local government.See also
- Electoral systems of the Australian states and territoriesElectoral systems of the Australian states and territoriesThe legislatures of the Australian states and territories all follow the Westminster model described in the Australian electoral system. When the Australian colonies were granted responsible government in the nineteenth century, their constitutions provided for legislative assemblies elected by...
- Parliaments of the Australian states and territoriesParliaments of the Australian states and territoriesThe Parliaments of the Australian states and territories are legislative bodies within the federal framework of the Commonwealth of Australia. Before the formation of the Commonwealth in 1901, the six Australian colonies were self-governing, with parliaments which had come into existence at various...
- Politics of VictoriaPolitics of VictoriaVictorian politics takes place in context of bicameral parliamentary system.The two main parties are the governing Liberal Party of Australia and the Australian Labor Party opposition...