So they called the Election for your wedding day…
Updated 2 November 2022
NB: This blog was originally written for the Federal Election on May 21st, 2022, however is totally relevant for Victoria’s upcoming State Election on November 26th and so I’ve updated it accordingly.
Victoria will go to the polls on Saturday November 26th, 2022 in it’s first post-COVID state election. Unsurprisingly, given the election is on a Saturday in November, some lucky (or not so lucky couples) will now find they share their big day with the State Election. Here are my top tips on how to ensure Victoria’s big day doesn’t overshadow yours.
OK let’s start with the important stuff. In Australia we are very lucky that we all have the right to vote. Victorian State and Local Government elections are run by the Victorian Electoral Commission. By Law, it is compulsory for all eligible Victorians to vote.
You MUST vote if you are:
are 18 years or older
are an Australian citizen
have lived in Victoria for longer than a month.
If you don’t vote, there are fines that can, and in most cases will, be imposed. Check out the VEC website for more details on what happens if you don’t vote: https://www.vec.vic.gov.au/voting/fines-and-reviews
And to be clear, getting married on election day is NOT a valid or sufficient reason for failing to vote.
Weddings are expensive enough as it is, without adding a fine on top of it, so start thinking about how you will cast your vote in this election. There are three options available to you:
In person voting at an Early Voting Centre is an option and is available from Monday 14 November until Friday 25 November. You don’t need a reason to vote early - you simply turn up to an Early Voting Centre and cast you vote. Find an Early Voting Centre here: https://maps.vec.vic.gov.au/elections
Another option is a Postal Vote. You can apply online via the VEC website (https://www.vec.vic.gov.au/voting/2022-state-election/postal-voting ). Applications for a Postal Vote close 6pm Wednesday 23 November.
If you and your partner really love politics, having an election on your wedding day may just be your dream. You can choose to lean into election day, and factor in some time to your day to pop in and cast your vote in person. Most polling places are open from 8am-6pm and are usually located in local schools, church halls or public buildings. While photography is not usually permitted inside the voting centre, a photo outside while eating at a democracy sausage might be the perfect addition to your wedding photos. Don’t forget, most voting centres can get very very busy on Election Day and if you are voting outside your district it may taken longer. If you are planning on voting in person on the day, it’s best to allow more time than you think you’ll need it, in case you are caught up in line. Also, have a chat with your photographer to ensure you have enough time in your schedule, if you want to include these photos.
Don’t forget your wedding party and your guests - they will also need to plan how they will vote on Election Day. If you have a wedding website or Facebook group it might be worthwhile sharing all these voting options, or even a Google Maps link to the location of the voting centre closest to your venue, so your guests can factor in casting their vote into their day.
Actual voting aside, another important thing to consider is how much do you want the Election to infiltrate your day. Politics can be a subject of much debate and some couples will prefer to keep any election chat to a minimum.
If you wish your day to be political-chat-free, ask your Celebrant to mention this in your housekeeping. On the other hand, if you want to embrace it, chat with your Celebrant about how they can include some fun references to voting, elections and the like throughout your ceremony.
Finally, during the reception, you may choose to have your MC provide updates throughout the evening, so your guests can choose to stay off their phones.
While your wedding has likely been months, if not years in the planning, don’t let all the political noise and fanfare overshadow your day.
Please note, this information is provided as a guide only. It is recommended you seek out your own information about how and where to vote. The Victorian Electoral Commission Website is a great resource and a good place to start. Visit https://www.vec.vic.gov.au/
