Become a general postal voter
Upcoming by-elections
Applications to become a general postal voter:
- closed for the Prahran District by-election at 8 pm on Friday 27 December. To vote by post in this by-election, you can apply for a one-off postal vote.
- closed for the Werribee District by-election at 8 pm on Monday 13 January. To vote by post in this by-election, you can apply for a one-off postal vote.
You can still apply to be a general postal voter for future elections at any time through the Australian Electoral Commission’s website.
General postal voter applications
Eligibility
General postal voters are people who are automatically mailed a ballot pack for all elections in their area. They must complete and return their ballot pack before election day.
You can become a general postal voter if you cannot go to a voting centre for any of the following reasons:
- you live 20 km or further from a voting centre
- you are seriously ill or infirm, or care for someone who is seriously ill or infirm
- you are 70 years or older*
- you are in prison, detention or custody
- you are a silent elector
- you are unable to attend a voting centre for religious reasons
- you are a registered overseas elector.
*If you apply to become a general postal voter because you are 70 or older, you will not automatically receive a ballot pack for Federal elections. This is because of different Victorian and Commonwealth electoral laws.
How to become a general postal voter
You can find more information and apply to become a general postal voter through the Australian Electoral Commission.