It’s a fine mess we’re in

More than 6000 Geelong non-voters hit with penalty

MORE than 6000 people in the Geelong region will receive a reminder notice this week about non-payment of fines for faiing to vote in the 2018 state election.

The Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) is urging those with outstanding fines to take action before the matter is referred to Fines Victoria.

More than 150,000 Victorians who failed to vote in the November 2018 state election will be receiving a penalty reminder notice this week, which carries a fee of $25.80 in addition to the original $81 penalty.

Lara the worst offending area in Geelong, with nearly 2300 voters still having an unpaid fine, followed by nearly 1700 voters in the Geelong district.

The South Barwon and Bellarine districts both had more than 1000 voters with unpaid fines.

The district with the state’s highest number of penalty reminder notices was Broadmeadows District with 3708.

The Electoral Commissioner, Warwick Gately, advised recipients of a penalty reminder notice to act as soon as possible.

“If you receive a penalty reminder notice in the mail this week, you have three options: pay the fine, request an internal review or elect to go to court,” Mr Gately said.

“Do not ignore the notice, or your details will be provided to the Director of Fines Victoria for further enforcement action.”

In May, more than 190,000 Victorians received an infringement notice for failing to vote in the 2018 state election. Those who did not respond to their infringement notice will receive a penalty reminder notice this week.

“If you respond to your notice instead of ignoring it, and you provide evidence about why you were unable to vote, there is a good chance that the infringement will be withdrawn,” Mr Gately said.

Non-voters have 28 days to respond to the penalty reminder notice.

A total of 152,252 penalty reminder notices are being sent this week to Victorians who failed to vote in the election, meaning an average of 1730 per district.

The VEC encourages people who are unsure what to do, or who require legal assistance throughout any stage of the infringements process, to call 1300 551 575 or visit:

vec. vic. gov. au/ Voting/ WhatIfIDidntVote