Early voting opens this week for the Nepean District by-election, with voters across the electorate able to cast their ballot from Wednesday 22 April ahead of polling day on Saturday 2 May. The by-election is being held after former Nepean MP Sam Groth resigned, and the Victorian Electoral Commission says voting is compulsory for electors who were on the roll for Nepean at the close of roll on Friday 20 March.
The VEC says early voting will run until Friday 1 May, with centres open from 9am to 8pm on weekdays, 1pm to 8pm on Anzac Day, Saturday 25 April, and 9am to 6pm on Friday 1 May. Election day voting centres will operate from 8am to 6pm on Saturday 2 May.
Early Voting Centres
According to the VEC media material, the three early voting centres for Nepean are:
- Rosebud Sea Scouts Hall, Rosebud Foreshore, Nepean Highway, opposite Fourth Avenue, Rosebud
- Dromana Hub Shopping Centre, Shop 1/251 Point Nepean Road, Dromana
- Blairgowrie Community Hall, 12 William Road, Blairgowrie
The VEC says voters do not need a reason to vote early.
Postal, Phone And Low-Sensory Voting
Voters who cannot or do not wish to attend in person before election day can apply for a postal vote. The VEC says postal vote applications close at 6pm on Wednesday 29 April, and anyone already enrolled as a general postal voter will automatically be sent a ballot pack without needing to reapply.
People who are blind, have low vision, or have a physical disability and need help to cast their vote can register to vote by phone from Wednesday 22 April.
The VEC is also holding a low-sensory mobile voting session on Tuesday 21 April for people who are neurodiverse and their support people. According to the commission, the session is designed to provide a quieter environment, extra space around booths, natural lighting where possible and staff trained to support people with non-visible disability.
Nominated Candidates
The VEC has published the following nominated candidates in ballot paper order:
- Darren Hercus – Pauline Hanson’s One Nation
- Reade Smith – Affordable Housing Now / Sustainable Australia Party
- Sianan Healy – The Greens
- Anthony Marsh – Liberal
- Milton Wilde – End Mass Immigration / Reform AU
- Peter Angelico – Libertarian
- Tracee Hutchison – Independent
- Renee Thompson – Legalise Cannabis
Where To Vote On Election Day
The VEC will operate 13 voting centres throughout Nepean District from 8am to 6pm on Saturday 2 May. Voters can cast their ballot at any election day voting centre within the district.
The election day voting centres are:
- Blairgowrie Community Hall, 12 William Road, Blairgowrie (independent wheelchair access)
- Boneo Community Hall, 572 Boneo Road, Boneo (assisted wheelchair access)
- Dromana Community Hall, 2A Verdon Street, access via Hodgkinson Street, Dromana (independent wheelchair access)
- Dromana Hub Shopping Centre, Shop 1/251 Point Nepean Road, Dromana (independent wheelchair access)
- St John’s Anglican Church, 50 Barker Street, access via King Street, Flinders (limited or no wheelchair access)
- Red Hill Consolidated School, 341 Arthurs Seat Road, access via Mornington-Flinders Road, Red Hill (independent wheelchair access)
- Rosebud Sea Scouts Hall, Rosebud Foreshore, Nepean Highway, opposite 4th Avenue, Rosebud (assisted wheelchair access)
- Rosebud Secondary College, 245 Eastbourne Road, access via Boneo Road, Rosebud (independent wheelchair access)
- Rye Civic Hall, 12 Napier Street, Rye (assisted wheelchair access)
- Shoreham Community Hall, 67 Byrnes Road, Shoreham (limited or no wheelchair access)
- Sorrento Community Centre, 860 Melbourne Road, access via Morce Avenue, Sorrento (assisted wheelchair access)
- Tootgarook Primary School, 7 Carmichael Street, Tootgarook (assisted wheelchair access)
- Bayview Church, 1 Inglewood Crescent, Rosebud (independent wheelchair access)
The VEC says more detailed accessibility information is available through its online voting centre locator.
What Voters Need To Know
Voting is compulsory for eligible electors enrolled in Nepean, and ballot papers must be completed before 6pm on election day. The VEC says people who do not vote may face follow-up action. It has also published full by-election information online, including candidate details, voting options and accessibility information.
