By Belinda Nolan
THE Victorian Electoral Commission has issued more than 6,000 failure to vote notices to Maribyrnong residents who neglected to vote in the November council elections.
The VEC has compiled a report into the Maribyrnong elections, pronouncing the municipality’s first postal vote to be a success, with slightly more voters turning out than usual.
A survey revealed the majority of residents preferred the postal procedure, with around 87 per cent of respondents believing it was more convenient and saved time.
A total of 6,810 notices have been sent to Maribyrnong residents who failed to vote, asking them to explain why they did not return postal ballots.
Bluestone Ward councillor Catherine Cumming said she believed some residents had turned up at council offices on election day, not realising the voting had closed the previous day.
Melanie Fleer, council’s manager of governance, said confusion over the postal voting process would be considered in the VEC ruling.
