At State elections, every voting compartment has instructions explaining how to vote in languages other than English. Some State election voting centres also have staff who speak a second language. These staff wear an interpreter sticker (as pictured) with the name of the language they speak.
The VEC also provides a telephone interpreter service and advertises in major ethnic media during the State election period.
For local council elections, each council determines the level of service and information provided in languages other than English. This can include multi-language voting leaflets, ethnic media advertising and multi-lingual telephone interpreter lines.
General information on elections, enrolling and voting is also available to download in 20 languages plus English. Please see out language page for more details.
Easy English guides to voting and the electoral process have been produced with the assistance of Scope (external link).
- Vote in the 2010 Victorian State Election (PDF 1.7MB, DOC 702kB)
- Running your own election - first-past-the post (PDF 1.1MB, DOC 11.3MB)
Large print files covering key dates and information specific to a particular election's enrolment, nomination and voting requirements are available upon request during State elections and local council elections.
Magnifiers and maxi pencils are available at each voting centre for State elections and local council attendance elections. If you cannot find them, please speak to an election official.
At State elections, closed circuit television (CCTV) equipment is available at selected centres for vision impaired voters. Voting using CCTV equipment involves placing a ballot paper under a camera that magnifies it on a television screen. Details about where these facilities are available will be announced prior to the next state election.
MP3 audio files detailing key dates, enrolment, nomination and voting details are made available on this site in conjunction with key electoral events and announcements. All audio files are located on the accessible audio page.
If you have a hearing impairment and need to contact the VEC by phone, there are several options available.
At State elections, the VEC identifies mobile voting venues, usually where voters who may find it difficult to get to a voting centre. These venues include hospitals, nursing homes and retirement homes. Venues appointed by the VEC are visited by mobile voting teams at pre-arranged times. More details about these mobile voting venues will be available closer to the State election.
You can bring someone with you to the voting centre to help you complete your ballot paper. The person assisting you must help you in accordance with your wishes.
At State elections and local council attendance elections, election officials wear an easily identifiable vest and badge (pictured) to indicate that they are there to help. They are happy to provide any assistance that may be required. If you require assistance from an election official to complete your ballot paper, this should be in the presence of:
- a scrutineer;
- another election official; or
- another person nominated by you.
You can also present a statement in writing if you require assistance. For example, you can present a how-to-vote card and indicate that you would like your ballot paper to be marked accordingly.
During State elections and local council attendance elections, every voting centre has at least one wheelchair accessible voting screen (a lower and wider voting screen) or a tabletop voting screen. If not immediately apparent, an election official can direct you to these facilities if you require, or would prefer to use them.
The VEC leases voting centre venues for State elections and local council attendance elections. Every early voting and election day voting centre is rated according to its wheelchair accessibility, using an audit tool. The audit complies with relevant Australian standards. It addresses building access as well as the availability of accessible parking. If you would like a copy of the audit tool developed specifically to rate VEC voting centres please contact the VEC.
Voting centre signage includes a sticker indicating the voting centre's accessibility rating.
Full wheelchair access (all criteria on the audit tool are met)
Assisted wheelchair access (majority of criteria are met)
Each centre's accessibility rating is advertised. The VEC makes every effort to lease as many suitable fully wheelchair accessible or assisted wheelchair accessible venues as are available.
At State elections and local council attendance elections, you can ask a friend or family member to request that an election official assist you to vote outside the centre if you are unable to go inside. If this happens:
- an election official will bring the ballot papers out to you;
- you complete the ballot papers; and
- the election official will place them in the ballot box inside the voting centre.
The election official assisting you should be in the presence of a scrutineer, another election official or some other person you nominate to ensure that your ballot paper is completed and submitted in accordance with your wishes
The VEC has produced an information brochure (PDF 361kB, DOC 85kB) with enrolment and voting advice for families and carers of people with a cognitive disability or impairment.
The VEC's Disability Action Plan 2011 - 2015 (PDF 295kB, DOC 168kB) outlines objectives and strategies to improve access to the Victorian electoral system.
