10 candidates for Bass, 7 for Gippsland South
WONTHAGGI’S Brett Tessari has drawn the all-important top position on the ballot paper for the fiercely contested seat of Bass.
In a draw conducted at 3.37pm today, Friday, November 11, it was revealed that there are 10 candidates for the seat of Bass with the leading candidates well-spaced on the ballot paper, Mr Tessari for the Nationals on top of the ballot, Jordan Crugnale (Labor) in 5th place and Aaron Brown (Liberals) in 7th.
According to political commentators, securing the top spot on the ballot paper is worth between 1% and 1.5% of the vote from those not necessarily engaged in the election.
In ballot paper order, the candidates are as follows:
- Brett Tessari The Nationals
- Mark O'Neill Labour DLP
- Marcus Munday Freedom Party of Victoria
- Martin Verhagen Family First Victoria
- Jordan Crugnale Australian Labor Party
- Elly Mousellis Animal Justice Party
- Aaron Brown Liberal
- Meg Edwards Independent
- Callum Bugbird, Australian Greens
- Jeni Jobe, Independent
Gippsland South has seven
There are seven candidates vying for election in the Gippsland South electorate.
Independent candidate Clay Esler drew the top position, but it is unlikely to impact the result in the election.
At the last election in 2018, Danny O’Brien received almost 62 per cent of the vote in his own right and is expected to have a comfortable win again this time around.
The candidates for Gippsland South in ballot paper order are:
- Clay Esler Independent
- Jay Tiziani-Simpson The Australian Greens
- Paul Furlong Family First
- Denise Ryan Australian Labor Party
- Danny O'Brien Nationals
- Helen Jeges Animal Justice Party
- Angela Newnham Freedom Party
‘Early Voting’ starts on Monday, November 14 with election day Saturday, November 26.
From the VEC
The candidate order for ballot papers for the 2022 Victorian State election has now been determined, following the close of nominations at 12 noon on Friday, November 11.
In total 740 candidates have nominated for the Lower House and 454 for the Upper House – 1194 nominations in all. This represents an increase from the 887 candidates at the 2018 State election and a record number of candidates in both the Lower House and Upper House for a State election.
“We expect more than half of all Victorian voters to vote early in the two weeks before election day,” said Electoral Commissioner, Warwick Gately.
“A list of candidates for each electorate is available on the VEC website and I encourage voters to look up their local candidates ahead of time.”
On Friday afternoon, the Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) conducted ballot draws at 88 locations (in each district) to determine the order of candidates appearing on ballot papers. The draws were conducted using an industry standard crypto-secure random number generator (RNG). The RNG selected is one that has been tested for randomness using a range of statistical measures including the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) tests (more information is available on the VEC website).
The submission period for how-to-vote cards opens on Monday, November 14 and will close on Friday, November 18. Voters will be able to view how-to-vote cards on the VEC website when the cards are registered by the VEC.
Mr Gately pointed out that how-to-vote cards are a suggestion only and that it is up to voters to decide which candidate receives which preference number – from first choice to the last choice.
“Almost half of informal votes cast are unintentionally informal,” Mr Gately said.
“This can be due to voters repeating or missing numbers or using ticks and crosses rather than numbers.
“If you’re planning to vote during the early voting period, have a look at who has nominated for your district and region and start thinking about your preferences. At the voting centre, number your candidates according to your preferences and then take time to check that you have numbered all candidates without repeating or missing any numbers.”
The VEC website also features short videos on how to complete ballot papers correctly in 23 different languages.
Early voting opens at 9am on Monday 14 November. The VEC has arranged extended early voting hours on several days in response to voter feedback.
Voters can view the short videos and early voting hours at vec.vic.gov.au
Where to vote early
* Leongatha Early Voting Centre, 28 McCartin Street, Leongatha.
* Wonthaggi Senior Citizens Club, 46–50 Murray Street Wonthaggi.
* Cowes Early Voting Centre, 44-46 Thompson Avenue, Cowes.
Monday 14 November 9 am - 6 pm,
Tuesday 15 November 8:30 am - 8 pm,
Wednesday 16 November 8:30 am - 6 pm,
Thursday 17 November 8:30 am - 8 pm,
Friday 18 November 8:30 am - 6 pm,
Saturday 19 November 9 am - 5 pm,
Sunday 20 November – CENTRE CLOSED
Monday 21 November 8:30 am - 6 pm,
Tuesday 22 November 8:30 am - 6 pm,
Wednesday 23 November 8:30 am - 6 pm,
Thursday 24 November 8:30 am - 8 pm,
Friday 25 November 8:30 am - 6 pm
ELECTION DAY – SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26 – 8am to 6pm
For election day voting places go to the VEC website at https://www.vec.vic.gov.au/voting/2022-state-election/voting-options-during-an-election
