An extraordinary vacancy has arisen in the Four Oaks Ward within the Casey City Council due to the resignation of Councillor Karen Baxter.

The vacancy will be filled through a countback of votes from the November 2008 general election.

“When a Councillor from a multi-member ward steps down, a countback of votes from the previous general election determines who will fill the position,” said the Returning Officer, David Triplow.

“Only the eight unsuccessful candidates can be included in the countback,” he said, “and it is only the votes that elected Councillor Baxter that are counted.”

The countback of votes will be conducted by computer at the Council Chambers, Magid Drive, Narre Warren, at 10.00am on Monday, 15 March 2010.

Voters do not need to vote again in a countback.

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Notes to editors:
The candidates for this countback are listed on the VEC website. They can be found on the Casey City Council 2008 Results page at www.vec.vic.gov.au/caseyresult2008.html.

Casey City Council is south east of Melbourne and immediately east of Frankston and Dandenong. It contains six wards.

The Four Oaks Ward is in the north of the City of Casey and includes the suburbs of Endeavour Hills and part of Narre Warren North.

For further information, please contact:
Thomas Harper
Senior Communications Officer
Victorian Electoral Commission
Level 8, 505 Little Collins Street, Melbourne 3000
Phone: 9299 0733
Email: thomas.harper@vec.vic.gov.au