Nationals Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes urges people throughout the Benalla Electorate to make sure that their electoral details are correct and up to date ahead of the State Election on November 27, 2010.
“It is important that everyone who is eligible to vote has provided the correct details to the Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC). Voting is compulsory in Victorian State Elections and anyone who fails to vote without an adequate reason may be fined.
“New residents to the Benalla Electorate need to make sure that they have updated their residential address details with the VEC.”
Dr Sykes said it was timely to remind young people who have turned eighteen and have not yet enrolled to vote to do so now.
“The close of rolls is 8pm on Tuesday 9 November so anyone who needs to enrol to vote or update their electoral roll details should do so before this date.”
Dr Sykes said that the VEC has developed an online enrolment application to help make new enrolments easier and forms are now available at http://www.vec.vic.gov.au/Enrol/enrol-forms.html.
Voters have various voting options available to them which include early voting, voting by post and at election day polling booths.
Family members who may be no longer capable of understanding voting can be removed from the electoral role.
Postal vote application forms will be available at all VEC election offices, post offices and the VEC website from Wednesday, 3 November 2010.
People who cannot get to a voting centre on election day can vote at an early voting centre from 15 to 26 November. Early voting centres located in or near the Benalla Electorate are located at 33 Sydney Road, Benalla and Cnr Ovens and Reid Streets, Wangaratta and 3 Wallis Street, Seymour.
An early voting centre for people who will be interstate on election day is available in each of the state and territory capital cities, for the full list go to the VEC website.
Dr Sykes said people with any queries in relation to voting in the 27 November State Election should contact the VEC on 131 832 between 9am and 5pm.

Local Member of Parliament, Bill Sykes urges constituents to ensure they are correctly enrolled to vote in the lead up to Enrol to vote week held from 17 to 23 May this year.
Dr Sykes said the initiative coincided with a double election year and highlighted the importance of being correctly enrolled so that every vote counts.
“Both the Victorian and Federal governments will be holding elections this year and it is important that all eligible voters are enrolled and that enrolments are kept up to date so that people do not miss out on their vote,” Dr Sykes said.
Enrol to vote week highlights the fact that many 17 year olds are not aware that they can enrol now and then vote as soon as they are 18.
“People who have moved residence since the last election may have updated their contact details with service providers and other businesses but forgotten to notify the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) of any change,” Dr Sykes said.
“In recent times there have been some close contests between both State and Federal candidates with the result coming down to a small number of votes.
“The last Federal Election, for example, saw a re-count in the Victorian seat of McEwen with the Liberal candidate Fran Bailey winning by the smallest margin.
“People can check their enrolment on the AEC website and, if necessary, update their details online.”
Dr Sykes said that a person’s vote is the best way to effect change at both a State and Federal level for those dissatisfied with the performance of an elected government.
People can enrol to vote via the website, www.aec.gov.au or completing a form available at any AEC office, Medicare, Centrelink or Australian Tax Office. Victorian Electoral Commission Electoral enrolment forms are available from Dr Sykes’ office at 2/55 Carrier Street, Benalla.
Dr Sykes concluded, “My office deals with a multitude of State government issues raised by constituents throughout the Benalla Electorate. Sometimes there is a good outcome, but often the Brumby Government refuses to ensure equitable outcomes for people living in country Victoria.
“The only way to address this problem is to vote for change on 27 November this year.”