By Charlene Gatt
MARIBYRNONG ratepayers will take to the polls next year via postal voting.
Maribyrnong City Council voted last week to use the postal method in the 2012 council election and has appointed the Municipal Association of Victoria to conduct the tenders process for electoral services.
The council adopted the postal vote for the first time in the 2008 election, achieving a 66.89 per cent participation rate.
In 2005, attendance voting saw a 65.84 voter turnout rate.
Councillor Sel Sanli said he would have preferred the council put the postal versus attendance debate out for community consultation prior to the decision, adding that last year’s State election was ran by attendance voting.
But fellow councillor Michael Clarke supported postal voting, saying it was a cheaper option that allowed for a greater level of representation, particularly for residents who are unable to leave their home to put in their vote.
It is not yet known how much the election will cost ratepayers, but in 2008 a postal election was priced at $195,000.
Council elections will be held across the State on 27 October.
