Forgot to vote in local government election - chances of avoiding a fine?

Discussion in 'Politics' started by Joynz, 2nd Feb, 2017.

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  1. Joynz

    Joynz Well-Known Member

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    I genuinely forgot to vote. Well actually I meant to vote ( postal voting in this Council), but got the date wrong.

    Sat down to fill the postal voting form out on 'Election Day' but then realised it was supposed to be in the day before so they could start counting on election day.

    Was a bit sick that week, but no medical cert or anything, just got it completely wrong,

    Never happened before.

    Now a letter has arrived asking me to 'please explain' why I didn't vote so they can decide whether to fine me or not.

    Do you think the truth will work?
     
  2. Bran

    Bran Well-Known Member

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    I hardly ever vote as work throws in curveballs. I've never been fined
     
  3. Marg4000

    Marg4000 Well-Known Member

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    You get time after the election to return a postal vote, at least a week, possibly 14 days? Read the instructions.

    If you have received a letter then simply tell the truth. I have known of the first offence to be excused with a stern warning not to do it again.
    Marg
     
  4. Scott No Mates

    Scott No Mates Well-Known Member

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    Lost in the mail?
     
  5. wylie

    wylie Moderator Staff Member

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    Just be honest and cop the fine if that comes in the mail. It will probably be about $20.
     
  6. Joynz

    Joynz Well-Known Member

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    About $80 in Vic apparently
     
  7. geoffw

    geoffw Moderator Staff Member

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    But weren't you away from your council area that weekend? Council elections don't have absentee voting.

    Many years ago I was on a Melbourne to Sydney train on election day, with not enough notice to get a postal vote. I was asked to explain which I did, and didn't hear again.
     
  8. Joynz

    Joynz Well-Known Member

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    You can do early voting. Ironically, I did visit an early polling booth, but I had my brought my bike lock so went home...
     
  9. Joynz

    Joynz Well-Known Member

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    But I actually got posted the forms several weeks earlier!
     
  10. random

    random Well-Known Member

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    l miss a lot to , to hell with them l'm not paying their damn fines.
    Are we the only country in the world that gets fined for not voting or what.
    l kn0w when l've told friends os they laugh, can't believe it
     
  11. Joynz

    Joynz Well-Known Member

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    So are you saying you get a fine notice and ignore it?

    If so, what happens?
     
  12. random

    random Well-Known Member

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    Don't think l've ever had one , or l threw it in the bin if l did,
    My brother hasn't voted for anything in 18yrs.
     
  13. wylie

    wylie Moderator Staff Member

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    A family member was fined for not voting in the last Federal election. $20.
     
  14. Peter_Tersteeg

    Peter_Tersteeg Mortgage Broker Business Member

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    I was required to vote in multiple local elections in Victoria last year, I missed all of them. So far no fines have appeared. Fingers crossed...
     
  15. Joynz

    Joynz Well-Known Member

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    You only have to vote in one of the local gov. elections; fine to miss the others according to the VEC doc I got.
     
    Peter_Tersteeg likes this.
  16. Flyingace

    Flyingace Member

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    I intended to vote in last year's local NSW elections but like Joynz I completely forgot.
    They caught up with me so I just copped it and paid the $55 fee.
    The poor guy who owns the local convenience store who was running for council because there weren't enough toilets or rubbish bins missed out on my vote. Sorry mate!
     
  17. The Y-man

    The Y-man Moderator Staff Member

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    Yep - from what I understood, only the one you live in is the compulsory in Vic EXCEPT the MCC which has mandatroy voting whether you have an IP or PPOR.

    The Y-man
     
  18. Arnoldus

    Arnoldus Well-Known Member

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    If it's like Queensland, they'll send you a letter asking why you didn't vote. Tell them a sob story (sick, death in the family etc.), they'll accept it (not worth their effort to chase you I think), and it goes away. I 'Forgot' to vote in 2 x local elections and a state election, only got a letter for the state one (and dodged the fine).