How voting works
In Victoria, voting is compulsory if you're an enrolled citizen aged 18+. You'll get two ballot papers and must number every box on at least one of them to cast a valid vote.
Am I enrolled?
You can check (and enrol or update your address) at the VEC enrolment page. The roll closes at 8pm on Tuesday 3 November 2026 — enrolments received after that cannot vote in this election.
Where and when can I vote?
- Election day — Saturday 28 November 2026, 8am–6pm. Any polling place in Victoria will accept your vote (an "absentee" vote if it's outside your district).
- Early voting in person — from Wednesday 18 November 2026 at designated early voting centres across the state. You can vote early if you'll be away, working, caring, sick, or otherwise unable to attend on election day.
- Postal voting — apply via the VEC; your postal ballot must be received by Friday 11 December 2026.
- Telephone / assisted voting — available if you're blind or have low vision, have a motor impairment, or are overseas and unable to vote otherwise.
What are the two ballot papers?
Small green ballot — Legislative Assembly (lower house)
You're voting for one person to represent your district in the lower house. There are 88 districts across Victoria. Your district elects 1 MP.
How to fill it in: Number every box in order of your preference — 1 for your first choice, 2 for your second, and so on, until every box has a number. If any box is left blank or if two boxes share a number, your vote is informal (doesn't count).
This is called full preferential voting.
Large white ballot — Legislative Council (upper house)
You're voting for your region, which elects 5 members. There are 8 regions, each covering 11 districts.
How to fill it in: Either —
- Above the line: number at least 5 boxes, one per party or group, in order of preference (1, 2, 3, 4, 5…). You may number more if you wish.
- Below the line: number at least 5 individual candidates (1 through 5 at minimum). You may number more.
You pick either above or below — not both. Full explainer here.
Do I need ID?
No. You just need to tell the official your name and address and confirm you haven't already voted. You can be marked off the roll without producing a document.
What if I don't vote?
You may be fined. The VEC sends an "apparent failure to vote" notice after the election; you can respond with a valid reason (illness, religious objection, overseas travel) or pay the penalty (currently a $99 fine).
What about donkey votes, informal votes, exhausted preferences?
See the glossary — these are described there, along with other terms you might encounter on election night.