Participate as a candidate
Candidates will have access to assistance and training through a range of organisations including the Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC), Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) and Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA).
Who can stand as a candidate in a City of Darebin election?
To nominate for election as a Councillor at Darebin City Council, a person must meet the qualification to be a councillor requirements as identified in the “Becoming a Council election candidate” section of this webpage.
Information and assistance for candidates
Information and assistance are available in a number of forms prior to and during a City of Darebin election.
VEC
Before the election, the Victorian Electoral Commission usually holds information sessions for prospective candidates. These sessions provide information about the process and enable potential candidates to meet the election manager appointed to run the election. Details of information sessions are made available from the Victorian Electoral Commission or from us.
The Victorian Electoral Commission also provides a comprehensive Candidate Information Kit that describes the election process and timelines. The kit also explains the requirements of becoming a candidate and includes forms to be completed by candidates.
The VEC website contains information about council elections, including candidates’ handbooks, which detail the requirements of being a candidate. These are usually available about 3 months prior to the City of Darebin’s elections.
MAV Stand for Council Program
In partnership with Victorian councils, the MAV is delivering a number of information sessions for the community and prospective candidates. These sessions can be attended either in-person or online. For further information on the program or to register to attend an information session refer to the MAV website.
VLGA Standing for Local Government
The VLGA is running a program of events in the lead up to the 2024 local government elections to support those running for council. For further information on the program or to register to attend an information session refer to the VLGA website.
Key election dates
Candidates for Council elections must adhere to certain key dates and conditions.
- Entitlement date
To stand as a candidate a person needs to be an eligible voter in the City of Darebin. Entitlement date (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.
- Notice of election
The election manager must give public notice of the election and call for nominations to fill the vacant positions not less than 40 days or more than 60 days before Darebin City Council’s elections
- Close of nominations
Candidates must be nominated by 12 noon on the day that is 32 days before the election day.
- Close of voting
The election day is the last Saturday in October. Our method of voting is postal voting. Ballot papers must be posted by 6pm on the day before the election day.
- Declaration of the poll
The election manager will publicly declare results after the votes have been counted and scrutineers have had time to examine the record of the count. The declaration of the election may be delayed if the election manager decides to conduct a recount
Campaign donations
Within 40 days of election day, all candidates must submit to the City of Darebin's Chief Executive Officer an "Election Campaign Donation Return". This will provide details of any gifts, goods or services worth $500 or more, received during the donation period for use in connection with their election campaign. This applies to all candidates, whether elected or not, and whether they received campaign donations or not.
The ‘donation period’ is defined as the period beginning 30 days after election day in the previous election and ending 30 days after election day in the current election.
Copies of election donation return forms will be included in candidate information kits and available from us.
Within 14 days after the deadline for lodgement of completed campaign donation returns by candidates, summaries of each return lodged will be made available on the this website for a period up until the entitlement date for the next general election. Completed campaign donation returns are also available for public inspection at the City of Darebin's offices for four years after the election.
Nominations
Candidates must be nominated by 12 noon on the day that is 32 days before the election. For the 2024 Council elections this will be 12pm on Tuesday 24 September 2024.
Local Government Victoria mandatory candidate training
It is important that anyone who wishes to run as a candidate in an election is aware of the requirement to undertake mandatory candidate training. This includes current and/or former councillors. The Local Government Act 2020 has a requirement for Mandatory Candidate Training. Section 256 (7) of the Act states that a person cannot nominate as a candidate for an election as a Councillor unless the person has completed the prescribed training. Completed candidate training will remain valid through the general election and any by-election.
Proof that this training has been completed must also be provided to the VEC. This includes all serving or former Councillors intending to nominate.
For further information refer to the Local Government Victoria (LGV) website.
Additional information
The Vic Councils website has additional information on standing for Council including but not limited to the following:
- How to stand for council
- Council’s role
- How to get elected
- Being a councillor
Other links which may be of interest:
Attachments