By XAVIER SMERDON
WESTERN suburbs residents have shown a lack of interest in their council’s elections with just over 67 per cent of enrolled residents bothering to vote.
With the release of election results last week by the Victorian Electoral Commission it was revealed that more than 208,000 enrolled residents failed to cast a vote in the West.
Maribyrnong had the poorest voter turnout with just 63.9 per cent while Melton had the highest rate of informal votes at 9.5 per cent.
Each resident that fails to vote could face a $70 fine unless they can provide an adequate reason to the VEC.
In the case of council elections the $70 is returned to each resident’s respective council.
This means that Wyndham Council, which had the largest number of residents who did not vote at 76,777, could stand to gain $2,631,930.
Maribyrnong Council could gain $1,360,100, Melton Council could gain $1,675,310 and Hobsons Bay Council could receive $1,270,780.
This adds up to almost $7 million between the four councils.
Mitchell from Werribee said he failed to vote simply because he had not realised the elections were being held.
“I don’t keep track of what’s happening in politics or anything like that so I had no idea I was supposed to vote,” Mitchell said.
“I’m only renting and I thought you had to be a ratepayer to vote.
“I hope I don’t get a fine because it’s basically like burning money which I don’t think anyone can afford.”
