Council elections
Voting in the 2024 Kingston City Council election has now ended. For more information on the election, including the timeline for election results, see the Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) website.
For queries relating to the election, you can contact the VEC on 131 832 or visit the VEC website for other contact options.
See the list of candidates in the 2024 Kingston City Council election and view their candidate statements.
Council elections are held every four years and are run by the Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC).
The last Kingston Council election was held in October 2024. The ballot closed on 25 October.
Find out more about our wards.
Complaints about elections
Complaints related to Council elections should be directed to the Local Government Inspectorate and the Victorian Electoral Commission.
Information for candidates
If you wish to stand as a candidate in this election, see the VEC website for more information and resources. Also read Citizen to Councillor, the Municipal Association of Victoria’s a guide to becoming a local government councillor in Victoria.
Political and election signs and street stalls
The following information reflects Council's position on the use of signage and promotions by candidates at Federal, State and Local government elections.
To discuss any requirements for election signage beyond these specifications, contact Council 1300 653 356 or via info@kingston.vic.gov.au
Any unauthorised electoral signage may be removed by the relevant Authority, with fees and/or fines applying.
Political advertising on council property
Signage will not be permitted on any Council properties, recreation reserves, bushland reserves, and/or at any Council facilities.
Political advertising on Council roads
Electoral signage must not be placed on Council (non-arterial) roads without a valid Community Local Law permit. Please contact Council’s Local Laws at info@kingston.vic.gov.au team for further information about permit requirements.
Political advertising at street stalls on Council land
A permit from Council is required to setup a stall/table to distribute leaflets/literature on Council land. Contact info@kingston.vic.gov.au.
Flyers under vehicle windscreen wipers
Flyers must not be placed under vehicle windscreen wipers.
Political advertising on private property
Political advertising is permitted to be placed on private land under the Advertising Planning Scheme.
Signs that include election information about a candidate are allowed on private land without a permit, under the following conditions:
- The display area does not exceed 5 square metres
- Only one sign is displayed on the land
- The sign is not animated or internally illuminated
- The sign is not displayed longer than 14 days after the related event is held or for 3 months in total, whichever is sooner.
- The sign has the name, street address and contact phone number of a person responsible for the sign.
If the land abuts a freeway or arterial road reserve, written consent from the Head of Transport for Victoria may be required.
Political advertising on arterial roads and freeways
All advertising and signage that is placed within the road reserve of an arterial road or freeway requires the prior written consent from the Head of Transport for Victoria.
Election campaign donation returns
Under the Local Government Act 2020, we publish a summary of all Election Campaign Donation Returns on our website.
Donation Returns must be submitted by candidates within 40 days of the election.
Read the Summary of Election Campaign Donation Returns(PDF, 71KB) for the 2020 election.
FAQs about voting
See the frequently asked questions below for more information on how to vote.
What if I didn't return my ballot?
Voting in the 2024 Kingston City Council election closed on 25 October. If you are enrolled to vote and did not return your ballot, please see the VEC website for more information.
How are votes counted?
To learn more about the vote counting process, you can visit the VEC website.
When will I know the election results?
Visit the VEC website for more information on election results in the Kingston City Council election.
What are the key dates?
- Monday 7 October: The VEC begins mailing out ballot packs.
- Tuesday 15 October: Applications open on the VEC website to request a ballot pack replacement if you have not received yours or if you need to send one to a new address (due to being away or having moved since the roll closed on Wednesday 7 August).
- Friday 25 October: Completed ballots must be returned before 6pm.
- Friday 1 November: All postal votes must be received by 12pm.
- Friday 15 November: Election results declared.
Do I have to enrol and/or vote?
State-enrolled: If you are a state-enrolled voter and reside in Kingston, you will automatically be enrolled to vote in the 2024 Kingston council elections. Voting is compulsory. You risk receiving a fine if you do not vote. You can check your enrolment status on the VEC website.
Council-enrolled: If you are eligible for council-enrolled voting, it is optional and not compulsory to enrol in the 2024 Kingston council elections. If you do choose to become a council-enrolled voter, you must vote or you risk receiving a fine.
What if I live overseas or will be away during the election?
If you're going to be away from your enrolled address between Monday 7 October and Friday 25 October, you can visit the VEC website to learn more about your options.
When will I receive my ballot?
Ballot packs will be mailed starting on 7 October.
What if I haven’t received my ballot?
If you do not receive your ballot pack by Tuesday 15 October, you can visit the VEC website to complete the online replacement form or call 131 832 to arrange a replacement.
How do I return my ballot?
Completed ballots need to be posted (with provided envelope) or dropped off at the election office before 6 pm on Friday 25 October.
The election office is located at Suites 1.08 and 1.09, Level 1, 4-10 Jamieson Street, Cheltenham.
Note: Please do not post completed ballots to Council or drop them off at our customer service counter.
Enrolling to vote in Kingston
Please note that the voter's roll for the 2024 local election closed on 7 August 2024.
In a Victorian local council election, there are two types of voters:
- State-enrolled: If you are on the state roll, you are automatically enrolled to vote in the council area in which you reside. Voting is compulsory.
- Council-enrolled: If eligible, you have the option to apply to enrol in a council area where you are a ratepayer but not a resident or a state-enrolled voter. Enrolment is optional. If you choose to enrol, voting in the election is compulsory.
You have one vote in Kingston. If you are a state-enrolled voter, that is the enrolment you use to vote. You can check your enrolment status on the VEC website.
This diagram (PDF, 58KB) provides a breakdown on voting entitlements for the 2024 local elections.
State-enrolled voters
State-enrolled voters are automatically enrolled, and voting is compulsory. If you are a state-enrolled vote, that is the enrolment you use to vote. That means you must vote in the municipality in which you reside.
You must enrol and vote if you:
- are 18 years or older
- are an Australian citizen
- have lived at your address in Kingston for longer than one month.
This includes both renters and owner-occupiers.
For more information or to check your enrolment status, visit the VEC website.
Council-enrolled voters
The local council electoral roll closed on 7 August.
Some ratepayers can apply to become council-enrolled voters in Kingston if they are:
- a property owner, occupier or represent a corporation
- 18 or older
- not a state-enrolled voter within the Kingston area.
Becoming a council-enrolled voter is optional, but if you choose to enrol, you must vote in the elections or risk receiving a fine.
See the VEC website for more detailed examples of who can enrol as a council-enrolled voter.
The rules for council-enrolled voters have changed ahead of the 2024 council elections. These changes are explained below.
Owner ratepayer
Applying as an owner ratepayer is a one-time application process. Enrolling is optional.
You can apply to enrol in Kingston if you:
- own property and pay rates in the council area
- are 18 or older
- are not a state-enrolled voter who lives in Kingston.
This includes:
- Australian citizens who own a property in Kingston but do not live in the area (for example, an investment or a holiday home)
- non-citizens over 18 who own a property and live in Kingston.
Up to 2 ratepayers can apply to enrol per property, but each person only gets one vote.
If you choose to enrol as an owner ratepayer in the Kingston council elections, you must vote or you risk receiving a fine.
Occupier ratepayer
Occupier ratepayers must reapply at every general council election if they want to vote. Enrolling is optional.
You can apply to enrol in Kingston if you:
- pay rates for a property that you occupy but do not own
- are 18 or older
- are not a state-enrolled voter.
Up to 2 people per property can apply to enrol, but each person only gets one vote.
If you choose to enrol as an occupier ratepayer in the Kingston council elections, you must vote or you risk receiving a fine.
Corporations
You can apply to enrol to vote on behalf of a corporation if you:
- are a director or company secretary of a corporation that pays rates (either as an owner or an occupier) in the council area
- have consented to being appointed as the corporation’s representative
- are not already a state-enrolled voter or council-enrolled voter for the same council.
Only one person can apply to enrol as the corporation’s representative. Enrolling to vote is optional.
Resigning your enrolment
Owner ratepayer
If you no longer want to vote for that property, you can apply to council to take it off the council roll. If you sell your property, your council enrolment will automatically become invalid.
Occupier ratepayer
If you no longer want to vote for that property, you can apply to council to take it off the council roll.
Corporation
If you don’t want to vote for that property anymore, you can apply to resign your enrolment.
Expiry of enrolment
Owner ratepayer
Your enrolment does not expire. Once enrolled, you will stay enrolled, and you must vote in all future local council elections, including by-elections for Kingston. If you don't vote, you risk receiving a fine.
Occupier ratepayer
If you want to continue to vote as an occupier ratepayer in future general council elections, you will need to apply to enrol again. You will receive an invitation when it’s time to renew your enrolment.
Corporation
If you want to continue to vote as a corporation in future general council elections, you will need to apply to enrol again. You will receive an invitation when it’s time to renew your enrolment.
Council by-elections
By-elections before October 2024
If you were a council-enrolled voter in Kingston at the 2020 local council general elections and your circumstances haven’t changed, you will be automatically enrolled for any by-elections that take place before October 2024. It is not compulsory for you to vote.
If you weren’t a council-enrolled voter in Kingston at the 2020 local council general elections, or your circumstances have changed, you can apply to enrol at any by-elections that take place before October 2024. It is not compulsory for you to vote.
If you want to vote in the next local council general election in October 2024, you will need to apply to enrol again.
By-elections after October 2024
If you apply to enrol for the local council elections in 2024, you will remain enrolled for any council by-elections up until 2028. It will be compulsory for you to vote.
Frequently asked questions (enrolling)
See the VEC's enrolling frequently asked questions for a comprehensive list.
Do I have to enrol and/or vote?
State-enrolled: If you are a state-enrolled voter and reside in Kingston, you will automatically be enrolled to vote in the 2024 Kingston council elections. Voting is compulsory. You risk receiving a fine if you do not vote. You can check your enrolment status on the VEC website.
Council-enrolled: If you are eligible for council-enrolled voting, it is optional and not compulsory to enrol in the 2024 Kingston council elections. If you do choose to become a council-enrolled voter, you must vote or you risk receiving a fine.
What if I live overseas?
If you own a property in Kingston but currently live overseas, the VEC website has more information on how to enrol and vote. On the page, scroll down to 'Special enrolment options' and open the 'Living, traveling or working overseas' accordion. If you have any questions, you can contact the VEC on 131 832.