Your guide to the state election

A state election gives you the opportunity to decide who represents you in the Victorian parliament.

In Victoria, a state election is always held on the last Saturday in November every four years. The upcoming state election is on Saturday 28 November 2026.

In a state election, you are voting for:

• one person to represent your district in the Legislative Assembly (lower house).
• five people to represent your region in the Legislative Council (upper house).

Sometimes there are vacancies in the Legislative Assembly outside of election times – for example, if an MP resigns – and an electorate is left without an MP to represent them. In this case, a A by-election is held if a vacancy occurs in the Legislative Assembly (e.g. because of a resignation, death, expulsion, or disqualification).by-election is held to elect someone new. Only voters in the relevant electorate will vote for their new MP. 

If there’s a vacancy in the Legislative Council, a new MP will be chosen in a When both houses of parliament meet together for a specific purpose (e.g. the houses cannot agree on a bill, Parliament has an important visitor, or to select a new MP or Victorian Senator).joint sitting of Parliament. The new MP will be from the same political party as their predecessor. 

Districts and regions

There are 88 districts; each district has approximately 55,000 voters. Candidates are decided by preferential voting.

There are 8 regions; each region has roughly 550,000 voters. Candidates are decided by proportional representation.

More information

• Search your address on this interactive map to find your electorate information.
• View a map of Victoria’s electorates.

Federal, state and local government each hold different responsibilities. If you are passionate about an issue, it’s helpful to understand which level of government is responsible for addressing it. 

Examples of state responsibilities

• Schools, teachers, vocational education, kindergartens
• Forests, agriculture and mining
• Water, electricity and gas supply
• Hospitals, ambulance services, emergency services
• Stamp duty and payroll tax
• Roads and railways, including public transport
• Policing and prisons
• Community services

Examples of federal responsibilities

• Universities
• Taxes
• Welfare
• Medicare
• Defence
• Immigration
• Trade
• Foreign policy
• Internet
• Airports

Shared responsibilities

Some responsibilities for state and federal governments overlap. When this happens, federal laws overrule state power.

More information

• Check your knowledge in this game about the three levels of government – do you know who is responsible for what?

Victorian Parliament is the decision-making body of our state. The role of parliament is to debate issues, pass laws and hold the government to account.

Parliament is made up of elected representatives, known as Members of Parliament (MPs), who have been chosen by the majority of people in their area to represent their views. In Victoria we have 128 MPs in total.

Both the Victorian state parliament and the federal parliament are 'two chambers' or 'two houses'. These two ‘houses’ are actually two groups of people elected to debate issues, pass laws and hold the government to account. There are two houses of parliament so that power is not concentrated in one place and there are two separate groups of people to consider and debate bills and other matters of public interest.bicameral, which means they have two chambers or two ‘houses’.

Victorian Parliament is made up of the:

• Legislative Assembly (the lower house)
• Legislative Council (the upper house).

The Victorian Government is formed by the party or coalition that wins the majority of seats in the Legislative Assembly (lower house).

The Legislative Assembly (lower house)

The lower house has 88 Members. There is one member to represent each There are 88 electoral districts in Victoria. Voters in a district elect one member of parliament to represent them in Victoria’s Legislative Assembly (Lower House).district in Victoria.

Members of the lower house can introduce A proposed law or change to an existing law.bills and A request for action.motions for debate. Members will vote on whether they agree or disagree with the bill.

A bill needs to have majority support in the lower house from members before it goes to the upper house, where it is reviewed and debated again. The bill can only become law if the majority of the members of the upper house approve of it.

The lower house is the only place decisions on budget and spending can be made.

The Legislative Council (upper house)

The upper house has 40 Members. There are five members to represent each There are 8 electoral regions in Victoria. Each region is made up of 11 districts.region in Victoria.

The Upper House is often called the ‘house of review’ because members spend a lot of time reviewing bills in detail. The upper house can debate, change, reject or pass bills. A bill will only become law if a majority of members in the upper house and lower house approve it.

A bill can be introduced in the upper house, but it will still have to be read and agreed on in the lower house.

Why is this important?

Like with federal parliament, the two houses are independent, and neither is more powerful than the other.  Both groups of people are elected to pass laws, debate issues and hold the government to account.

More information

• Learn more about how laws are made, and how committees and petitions work

State and territory governments (for example, Victoria) are responsible for making decisions on issues such as public transport, schools, hospitals, public housing, emergency services and prisons.

These decisions can include how much money is spent and what they invest in. It can also include changes to laws, or the creation of new laws.

The Victorian Government refers to the party or When two or more political parties join forces.coalition that wins the majority of seats in the lower house (at least 45 out of 88) - refer to ‘The houses of parliament’ for more on this.

The leader of the winning party or coalition becomes Premier. Other members of the winning party or coalition will become Ministers, which means they are responsible for overseeing certain areas of government responsibility (known as departments or portfolios).

Did you know?

You can watch online how parliament works and see MPs debate bills, ask questions and represent their constituents in real time!

What is a political party?

A political party is an organisation that represents a particular group of people or set of ideas. Australians can form new political parties or choose to join a political party whose ideas and aims they support.

Political parties aim to have members elected to parliament so they can share their views and contribute to decisions made in parliament. Political parties who have members elected to parliament are called ‘parliamentary political parties’.

What is a ‘coalition’ in politics?

A coalition is formed when two or more political parties agree to work together to create a bigger group in parliament. Parties only work as a coalition when they have enough ideas and goals in common to be able to work together effectively.

Parties that have formed a coalition generally vote the same way, although each party keeps their own identity and usually holds separate party meetings.

Parties or coalitions who have enough members elected to form government or opposition are called major parties. Parties that do not have enough members elected to form government or opposition are called minor parties.

What is ‘the opposition’ in politics?

The ‘opposition’ is the party or coalition that has the most members in the lower house who are not part of government.

The opposition analyses and suggests improvements to proposals that the government makes, which is an important part of the democratic process.

Shadow Ministers are members of the opposition who are responsible for certain policy areas, for example, the Shadow Minister for Mental Health. Shadow Ministers can work with and critique the government’s corresponding minister on their policy area.

Why is all this important?

Parliamentary parties are influential because their members work as a team. Generally, party members vote the same way on issues and bills in parliament. The more members that a party has in parliament, the more powerful they will be when they vote together.

Some of this power and influence could be lost if members of the party publicly disagree with each other, especially if they vote against their party in parliament. Voting against your party is called ‘crossing the floor’.

Did you know?

While the federal parliament and most state parliaments in Australia have two houses of government, the Queensland parliament only has one house – the Legislative Assembly – making it unicameral.

The Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory parliaments are also unicameral – both have one house called the Legislative Assembly.

More information

• Learn about backbenchers, the crossbench and other parliamentary terms.

Members of Parliament (MPs) are elected representatives who speak on behalf of the people living in their electorate. Their job is to listen to the views and issues of their constituents (that’s you!) so they can advocate on these issues to government.

Each MP will represent a A group which aims to have members elected to Parliament so they can have a say on how Australia is run. A party is an organisation that represents a particular group of people or set of ideas. Australians can form new political parties or choose to join a political party.political party or may be an A member who does not belong to a political party.independent. The VEC has a list of registered political parties in Victoria.

The role of an MP in parliament is to:

• introduce bills and motions (proposals) for debate
• debate, pass, change or reject bills
• ask ministers questions about the government’s decisions and actions
• raise issues and ask questions on behalf of the people they represent.

Most of an MP’s work happens in their community. They spend around 35 weeks a year in their electorate listening to their A citizen or voter who lives in a specific area and is represented by an elected official.constituents, and to businesses and community organisations to advocate for their needs.

MPs spend the rest of their time in parliament, where they bring issues before decision-makers. MPs also hold the government to account to make sure the policies promised are being put into action.

Who can be an MP?

There are no specific qualifications to be a member of parliament. Before entering politics, some members of parliament have been small business owners, lawyers, electricians, farmers, teachers, artists, and scientists, to name a few.

One of the two things you vote for in a state election is which candidate will become the Members of Parliament (MPs) are elected representatives who speak on behalf of the people living in their electorate. Their job is to listen to the views and issues of their constituents (that’s you!) so they can advocate on these issues to government.MP who represents your electorate. If you’re not quite sure what that sentence means, no problem – let’s break it down below! 

What is an electorate? 

An electorate is an area of land where the boundaries are decided based on the population within it. The boundaries of each electorate are drawn so that each one will have roughly the same number of people. This makes sure that everyone has the same voting power. Basically, the more people live in an area, the smaller the electorate is, and vice versa.

Each electorate has a name and an MP who represents them in Parliament’s Legislative Assembly (lower house).  For example, Ben Carroll, the current Premier, is the member for the electorate of Niddrie.

Sometimes the boundaries of an electorate can change year to year in a process known as redistribution. This happens when populations within an electorate change, and the boundaries have to be widened or shrunk to maintain fair voting power.  

Step 1: Find out which electorate you live in 

For state elections, use the VEC’s resource that shows which electorate you live in. You can search by locality, suburb or post code. It shows which electorate you were a part of in the last election, and if redistribution has happened, it will show what your electorate is in the next election. 

Step 2: Figure out who’s running for your electorate

The next step is to look at the candidates running to be the MP in your electorate. There are many options to choose from and it’s important to base your vote on your own values and priorities, and not anyone else’s.  

You can look up the candidates for your electorate on the VEC’s website after 9 November. The VEC also has a list of current registered political parties.

Step 3: Learn about the issues candidates are campaigning for

During an election, candidates often make commitments to act on important issues if they are elected. These commitments might be made as an individual candidate, or via a promise from the party a candidate belongs to.

You can learn about the different commitments candidates have made by visiting their website and social media pages or at the Parliamentary Budget Office’s 2026 Election Commitment tracker.

The two major parties in Victoria are the Victorian Labor Party and the Victorian Liberal Party. However, the Liberal Party and the National Party (which is a minor party) are currently joined in a coalition. This is one good example of how minor parties can still be powerful in parliament even if they cannot form government alone. 

The VEC has a list of current registered political parties. You can find out more about each party by visiting their website and social media, and following the news.

What is a minor party?

Minor parties are other smaller political parties that do not expect to get enough votes to form government on their own and become the party in charge. Some examples are the Greens or One Nation.

Is it worth voting for a minor party?

Thanks to our preferential voting system, your vote is never wasted. While a minor party may not form a majority government, they can still win seats and have a large influence on whether certain legislation passes, as they may be the deciding vote in the parliament. 

Minor party MPs often use this power to negotiate changes to legislation or to secure government support for legislation that the minor party wants to see introduced. This means that minor party or independent MPs can still have a lot of power even if they are not able to form government on their own.

What is an independent?

An independent is someone who does not belong to a political party. An independent can be elected to either the Legislative Assembly (lower house) or to the Legislative Council (upper house) just like candidates from political parties.

In parliament, independents take part in debates and vote on bills. An independent can also introduce their own bills. These are called private members’ bills.

Independent and minor party representatives are often called ‘crossbenchers’. This is because in parliament, they sit on the seats (crossbench) between the government and opposition.

Independents can make up their own mind about whether to vote for or against an idea. Independents sometimes vote with the government and sometimes with the opposition on an issue. On some occasions, an independent may choose to abstain (choose not to vote).

Minor parties can also be powerful if they form a coalition with a major party.

Why are minor parties and independents important?

1. They add to debate on A proposal for a law or a change to an existing law.bills introduced by both the government and opposition and can also introduce A bill introduced by someone in parliament who isn’t a Minister, meaning it’s not backed by the government.private bills on issues they feel aren’t being addressed in parliament.

2. They sometimes hold the ‘balance of power’ when a matter is being voted on in parliament. This is what happens when the opposition does not support a bill so the government needs some or all of the crossbenchers’ votes to pass it (normally when there’s a If neither major party wins enough seats to form government (45 seats), one party will usually still have more seats than the other. This party has to negotiate with independents and minor parties to form an alliance that will give them the necessary number of seats to form government. The end result is a minority government.minority government). The government will likely negotiate with them to try and get their support. When crossbenchers hold the balance of power, their vote can be the deciding factor on whether a bill is passed or rejected.

3. When there is a When neither of the major parties gets an absolute majority (76 seats).hung parliament, minor parties hold a lot of power. They can form a coalition with a political party in order to form the government.

Minority government

If no party – or coalition – has more than 45 seats in the Legislative Assembly (lower house) after an election, government can still be formed with the support of independent and/or minor parties. The party with the most seats must negotiate with the independents and and/or minor parties in order to form a majority. This is called a minority government.

Several new political parties have registered ahead of the state election in November 2026. Some of these parties are not genuinely committed to providing voters with fair representation.

Some new parties have registered deliberately misleading names to attract votes and funnel preferences to parties of their choice. However, this loophole in Victoria’s electoral system that allows parties to organise their preference flows has been closed with the abolishment of group voting tickets.

Parties with misleading names will still appear on the ballot papers. One example includes the Free Palestine Party, registered by right wing content creator and pro-Israel activist Avi Yemeni.

It’s important to do your research before you vote so that you are not voting based on the name of a party alone.

If you come across content that makes you feel angry or outraged, or that seems too ‘out there’ to be true, this is a good sign to fact check what you’re seeing.

Don’t share questionable content before verifying it first. You can do this by:

• checking the source of the content. Does it come from an expert, credible journalist or news outlet? Is it reported anywhere else?
• looking for further context and information. Is there more to the story than what you’ve seen? Have you heard from all sides?
• thinking about who stands to benefit from this information being circulated
• checking websites such as AAP FactCheck to see whether the content has been debunked.

Below are further resources to help you spot mis- and disinformation:

• AAP FactCheck – this is a credible service by AAP journalists. They regularly fact check misinformation and disinformation about news, politics and current events. They also have an Instagram account (@aapfactcheck) that is regularly updated.
• How to spot AI images – this video is a helpful guide to spotting AI images.
• Misinformation about elections – this is where the VEC debunks misinformation about elections.
• AEC Voter's guide: Communication tactics catalogue – this outlines how people spread mis- and disinformation, and how to spot these manipulative tactics.
• AEC Disinformation register – this lists disinformation the AEC has discovered about elections.
• How to spot and respond to misinformation and disinformation – this resource was put together by the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House to help you navigate false information.
• Stop and Consider: Our campaign – this AEC resource has tips to help you spot mis- and disinformation.

Tips for using AI to research

If you are using artificial intelligence such as Google AI summaries and ChatGPT when researching, remember to check for incorrect information.

There are steps you can take to guide what sources AI pulls information from, and how it presents it to you. Below are some prompts, but remember to always cross-check information provided by AI with trusted sources!

You can enter these instructions when using large language model AI (LLMs) like ChatGPT:

• “Only provide information using official sources from government websites.”
• “Give me information but don’t tell me who to vote for.”
• “Help me understand policies from different candidates and provide sources to where the information was found.”

If someone is sharing content that aims to influence how people decide to vote, they must have the content authorised. This type of content is called electoral matter (this is different to sharing your political opinions, which you can do at any time). Electoral matter includes paid ads, printed materials such as pamphlets or posters, digital ads, websites and social media posts.

Authorisation tells you why the information is being shared and by who, so you can think critically about it. Authorised content will include a message with the name and address of the person who made it. You will typically see this message at the end of a political ad on TV or in the fine print of a politician’s promotional flyer.

Social media content that aims to influence our vote may not always contain an authorisation message, even if it should. That’s why it’s best to check who is creating and sharing political content, no matter where it appears. You can report electoral matter that you believe should be authorised to the VEC.

It’s important to note that unlike commercial advertising laws, Australia’s political advertising laws don't ban misleading or deceptive claims.

The media helps us keep up to date on government decisions and the work of our elected representatives.  Journalists also play a crucial role in examining and interrogating the work of parliament and the government.

Media organisations are free to decide what they publish and how they publish it. They decide which members of parliament they will interview or write about. As a result, the press has a lot of influence on public opinion.

To keep the public’s trust, journalists aim to report in a way that is fair, accurate and balanced. However, it’s always a good idea to consume media from a variety of sources and to compare information.

Did you know?

In the day before an election, some major newspapers explicitly endorse a political party and can even advocate against voting for a certain party. This is part of a long-held tradition.

Preferential voting is a system where you rank the candidates listed on your ballot paper in order of preference. You put number 1 next to the person you would most like to be elected. You mark your second preference as number 2, and so on.

It's important to think about how you order your preferences, because they really count – around half of the lower house are won on preferences.

The preferential counting system is a way of counting votes in an election when we need to elect one person. In a state election, preferential counting is used to elect members of the lower house (Legislative Assembly).

This is how your vote is counted:

1. The VEC counts all the first preference votes (those that are marked 1 on ballots). To win, a candidate must receive more than 50% of the first preference votes, known as an 'absolute majority'.

2. If no candidate achieves an absolute majority, the candidate with the lowest number of first preference votes is dropped.

3. The VEC go back to the ballot papers of everyone who put this candidate first. Then they distribute the second preferences on these ballots to the remaining candidates. This continues until a candidate wins over 50% of votes.

Proportional representation is a way of counting votes in an election when we need to elect more than one person.

In a state election, proportional representation is used to elect members of the upper house (Legislative Council). You fill out the ballot paper for the upper house similarly to how you would for the lower house (more on that in the next section), by ranking the candidates in order of your preference.

With proportional representation, a candidate needs to win a set proportion of votes, called the ‘quota’. The quota varies according to the number of candidates to be elected. For example, if we need to elect 3 candidates, and there are 140 votes in total, the quota to win is 36 votes.

How your vote is counted with proportional representation:

1. The VEC will distribute votes to candidates according to first preferences, and the quota is calculated from the total vote.

2. If a candidate receives the exact quota of votes, they are elected, and their ballot papers are set aside.

3. If a candidate receives more votes than the quota, they are elected. Their ‘surplus’ votes (votes over the quota) are distributed to the other candidates according to preferences. Any candidate who reaches the quota after distribution is elected and the resulting surplus is again passed on.

4. If there still aren’t enough elected candidates for the electorate and all surplus votes have been distributed, the candidate with the least votes is dropped out. Their votes are distributed to the other candidates according to voters’ preference. This continues until another candidate reaches the quota. This continues until all spots for an electorate are filled.

For state elections, you will receive two ballot papers:

• one to elect members of the lower house (Legislative Assembly)
• another to elect members of the upper house (Legislative Council).

Make sure to follow the instructions on the ballot paper, otherwise your vote may be considered invalid.

The lower house (the green ballot paper)

The lower house uses full preferential voting. This is where you number all the candidate boxes in the order that you prefer, from most to least preferred. You put number 1 next to the person you would most like to be elected. You mark your second preference as number 2, and so on.

Important: If you don’t number every box, your vote will not be counted.

The upper house (the white ballot paper)

The Upper House uses optional preferential voting. In this system, you can choose to write above the line or below the line. You do not have to fill in all the boxes on the ballot paper.

Above the line

If you vote above the line, you are ordering political parties/groups in order of your preference.

You write the number 1 in the box for your first choice of the group/party you want to support and continue to number at least five boxes.

Below the line

Voting below the line gives you more control. You number individual candidates (rather than parties) in order of your preference. For example, if you want to vote for the hypothetical ‘Dogs Are Better Than Cats’ political party but do not like one of their candidates, you can vote for all the ‘Dogs Are Better Than Cats’ candidates that you do like below the line by numbering them in order of who you like the most to who you like the least. You can choose to number the candidate you do not like as your last preference, or choose not to vote for them at all (you must vote for at least 5 candidates). This means that the candidates you do like get your vote but you do not vote for the candidate you do not like.

To vote below the line, you must write a number 1 in the box for your most-preferred candidate and continue to number at least five boxes on the ballot paper in the order you prefer (you can keep numbering more if you wish).

Learn more on the VEC website.

What if I make a mistake on my ballot paper when voting?

It’s important to fill out your ballot paper correctly, or it might be labelled as an informal vote which means your vote will not count.

Remember, it’s okay if you make a mistake while filling out your ballot paper – you can simply ask for a new one.

What not to put on your ballot

Do not doodle, draw or write anything outside the boxes on your ballot paper. It will be considered informal (invalid) and not count.

Your ballot paper might be considered informal or invalid if it:

• has ticks, crosses or any other symbol in the boxes – only numbers will be counted
• does not correctly number enough boxes – check the instructions for each paper, or ask an election officer if you’re not sure!
• misses or repeats numbers – double (or triple!) check your choices to make sure you have written the needed amount of votes
• uses a zero (0) - numbering begins at one (1) for your first choice
• is blank
• contains anything that identifies you, such as your name or signature.

Did you know?

A donkey vote is when you number each box in the order that the candidates or parties appear on the ballot paper. A donkey vote is still counted – even if that’s not your intention!

If you know someone who is planning to donkey vote, send them this video.

Find your voting centre

1. Voting centres are places you can go to cast your vote in-person on election day if that’s accessible for you. They’re usually open from 8am–6pm on election day. There is a voting centre in every district in Victoria – find yours by checking the VEC. You can vote at any polling place in your state on election day. No matter where you go to vote, you will still be registered to vote for the candidates in your electorate.

2. There are different processes at the voting centre if:

• you vote at a centre outside your electorate
• you are enrolled as a silent elector
• your enrolment details can’t be found on the day. 

In these cases, you might be asked to do a ‘declaration vote’.

Arriving at a voting centre

3. When you arrive at a voting centre you might have to line up and wait to vote – if there is a queue, simply join. You won’t have to do anything until you are at the registration desk.

If you’re not sure where to go, look out for official VEC officers – they can direct you where to go!

There will probably be lots of people trying to give you ‘how to vote’ cards. These are created by different parties and candidates to suggest an order of preferences that suit them. You can take these cards and copy them or you can say no – it’s up to you! You decide your preferences.

Campaigners and workers promoting political parties must be at least six metres away from the entrance to a voting centre.

Confirming your enrolment details

4. When you get inside the voting centre, an election official will ask you for your details, confirm your electorate and give you two ballot papers – one for the lower house (Legislative Assembly), and one for the upper house (Legislative Council).

When you get to the desk, an election official will ask:

• for your name and address (unless you’re a You can request to enrol as a silent elector to remove your address from being publicly available on the electoral roll. You must apply to be a silent elector by completing a form and returning it to the AEC for approval.silent elector)
• if you have already voted in the election.

They'll also:

• confirm what electorate you’re enrolled in
• mark your name on the roll to record you’ve voted
• give you your ballot papers.

5. Official electoral staff will explain how to fill in each ballot paper. You can ask questions if you’re not sure what to do.

6. You will be directed to an available voting booth so you can fill in your ballot paper privately. You'll be given a pencil to fill out your papers, but you can also bring your own pen or pencil. 

In the voting booth

7. Read the instructions on your ballot paper carefully and follow them so your vote can be properly counted.

Looking at all the names on a ballot paper can feel overwhelming and there might be some parties or candidates you’re not familiar with. It’s perfectly ok to look up information on your phone while at the voting booth. If you have done your research leading up to election day, you can also write notes and bring it along to the voting booth. For more information, see our section above about how to fill out your ballot paper.

Submitting your vote

8. Once you’ve completed your ballot papers, you can leave the polling booth and submit your ballot paper – you don’t need to show your paper to anyone!

There are two boxes you can put your ballot papers in – one for your lower house vote, and one for your upper house vote. They’re colour-coded, just like the ballot papers, so you know where each one goes.

9. Head outside and celebrate with a democracy sausage!

Getting help to fill in your ballot

If you need any help, election officials are available to answer questions about the voting process. They can’t tell you who to vote for, and they do not work for any political parties.

Families, carers, supporters and staff at voting centres can assist voters to read through ballot papers and complete their vote.

You can also ask someone you trust to come with you to a voting centre. This person could be a:

• friend
• family member
• carer.

This person can help you fill out your ballot papers. It’s important this person fills out your ballot papers exactly the way you tell them to.

The Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) provides assistance to disabled people to make sure voting is accessible.

The VEC also has a series of Easy English guides.

Download the Easy English guides

See all accessible voting resources and services

Voting centres have different accessibility levels.

The VEC gives all voting centres a wheelchair-accessibility rating. You’ll be able to look up each centre’s rating online, along with other accessibility information from Wednesday 4 November on the election venue locator page.

All voting centres have:

• magnifiers and large print guides
• maxi pencils
• an accessible voting screen
• support from staff.

Early voting centres will have everything listed above, plus an assistive hearing device.

Some voting centres have:

• wheelchair access
• access guides
• early voting.

If voting on election day will not be accessible for you, see our section below on early voting options – including early voting, postal voting, mobile polling and telephone voting.

Low-sensory voting

The VEC will hold a dedicated time and space for a quieter voting experience in each district on Tuesday 17 November. Voting centres will be open 10am to 4pm.

While voting you will notice:

• extra space around voting booths
• a quieter venue
• lower or natural lighting where possible
• staff who can support voters with non-visible disabilities.

Visit the VEC voting options website to find the most up-to-date information.

If you are blind or vision impaired

You can order braille ballot papers and large print ballot papers in advance by calling the VEC at 131 832 from 9 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday or by emailing braille@vec.vic.gov.au. Braille and large print ballot paper registrations for the 2026 state election close at 5 pm on Monday 2 November.

You can also register to vote by phone. Phone registration and voting opens on Wednesday 18 November. Telephone voting will be open 9am to 6pm every day of early voting and 8am to 6pm on election day. You can find out more at the VEC’s Voting Options page or by emailing the VEC’s Education and Inclusion team at education@vec.vic.gov.au or calling 131 832.

If you are Deaf, deaf or hard of hearing

You can contact the VEC via the National Relay Service (NRS). The NRS is available 24 hours a day, every day, and you can choose from one or more relay call types depending on what you need. Auslan interpreters will be available via video link during the early voting period.

If you want help completing your ballot papers

You can ask someone you trust to come with you to a voting centre, such as a friend, family member or carer. This person can help you fill out your ballot papers. You can also ask election staff to help you fill out your ballot papers. Anyone who helps you must fill out your ballot papers exactly the way you tell them to.

Voting in person on election day is not your only option. You can vote early if on election day you:

• are travelling
• are not in Victoria
• are unable to leave your workplace to vote
• are seriously ill (including mental illness) or due to give birth shortly (or caring for someone who is)
• are a patient in a hospital and can’t vote from there (note some hospitals do have mobile voting options)
• have religious beliefs that prevent you from attending a polling place
• are in prison serving a sentence of less than five years, or otherwise detained
• are a silent elector. You can apply to be a silent elector if you don't want your address on the public electoral roll. 
• have a reasonable fear for your safety.

If you can’t get to a voting centre due to your disability, you may be eligible for any of the options below. The VEC also has several resources and services available. Visit their page for people with disability or mobility restrictions for more information.

If you’re overseas on election day, you can vote at an overseas voting centre or by post.

If you’ll be away and none of the below methods suit you, you must tell the VEC by filling in an ‘Away from Victoria’ form.

Postal votes

Anyone can apply to vote by post in the 2026 state election. Postal voting:

• opens Wednesday 4 November
• closes 6pm Wednesday 25 November.

If you have registered as a general postal voter, you will automatically receive your These contain ballot papers, voting instructions and a reply-paid envelope so you can send it back.ballot pack in the mail.

You must apply to be a general postal voter by 8pm Tuesday 3 November or you will not receive your ballot papers in the mail for the 2026 State Election.

Early voting options

In-person

You can vote early between Wednesday 18 and Friday 27 November. Early voting is open 9am to 6pm every day except Sunday 22 November.

Early voting locations will be shared on the VEC website closer to the voting period. All early voting centres will also be election day voting centres.

Mobile voting

AEC mobile polling teams (mobile as in they move around, not mobile phones) visit many voters who aren’t able to get to a polling place. They usually set up in hospitals, nursing homes, prisons and remote areas of Australia during the election period.

Find out more information.

Phone voting

You can register to vote by phone if you:

• are blind
• have low vision
• have a motor impairment and need help to cast your vote.

Registration and voting opens on Wednesday 18 November. Telephone voting will be open:

• 9am to 6pm every day of early voting
• 8am to 6pm on election day.

Find out more information on the VEC’s website or call 131 832.

• Meet with or contact your local MPs

• Sign a petition on an issue you care about
• Contribute to a Parlimentary inquiry
• Write a letter to the editor/article for local media
• Organise a fundraiser
• Call in to a radio show to share your views
• Volunteer for a cause that is important to you

No one can tell you who to vote for, and you don’t need to tell anyone who you are voting for.

You might not agree with who someone is voting for, and it isn’t your job to change their mind. If you want to have a conversation about politics and the election, it’s important to put your safety first, including looking after your mental health and wellbeing.

If you feel safe and confident enough to talk to someone about political issues you care about, here are some tips:

• Start with mutual understanding – what are the issues this person cares about? What do you both agree on?
• Keep it relevant – focus on the issue, not the person.
• Look at the source – politely ask where this person is getting their information on the issue from.
• Check for misinformation – do you have the whole story, or are facts and perspectives missing?
• Consider the impact – what impact could this policy have on you as an individual? What might it mean for others in our society?
• Encourage curiosity – are there trusted resources you can share to support this person to find out more?

During elections, some issues receive intense media attention, and not always for positive reasons. For individuals and communities at the heart of these issues, the heightened focus on their lives can result in real harms. If media coverage is affecting your wellbeing, it's okay to take a step back and look after yourself first.