Victorian election 2026: candidate nominations open Wednesday, the key dates to 28 November, and the rule changes voters should know

By The Rundowns News Desk · Published 1 November 2026

Victoria's election timetable moves from campaigning to paperwork this week. The writs are issued on Melbourne Cup Day, enrolment closes that night, and candidate nominations open on Wednesday 4 November and close at 12 noon on Monday 9 November. After that the ballot papers are locked in. Changes to the Electoral Act this year shortened several of these windows, so here are the dates, what changed, and what it means for you.

The key dates

All dates are from the Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) and the Parliament of Victoria. Times are Melbourne time.

• Tuesday 3 November: The writs are issued, and the electoral roll closes at 8pm. If you're not enrolled or your address is out of date, this is your last chance (see our enrolment explainer).
• Wednesday 4 November: Candidate nominations open. Postal vote applications open the same day.
• Monday 9 November, 12 noon: Nominations close for all candidates, party and independent alike.
• After nominations close: The VEC runs computerised random draws to set the order of names on each ballot paper.
• Tuesday 10 to Friday 20 November: How-to-vote cards are registered.
• Wednesday 18 to Friday 27 November: Early voting, 9am to 6pm, every day except Sunday 22 November.
• Wednesday 25 November, 6pm: Postal vote applications close.
• Saturday 28 November: Election day, with voting centres open 8am to 6pm.
• By Saturday 19 December: The writs are returned with the names of the elected members.

What changed this time

The VEC lists several changes to the Electoral Act 2002 that apply for the first time at this election (VEC):

• The roll closes a week earlier, on 3 November.
• The nomination period is shorter, running only from 4 to 9 November.
• Early voting is shorter, running from 18 to 27 November.
• How-to-vote card registration runs longer, from 10 to 20 November.
• Parties can withdraw a candidate's nomination before nominations close if they've disendorsed that candidate.
• Group voting tickets are gone from the upper house (Legislative Council).

Note that a draft VEC service plan published earlier listed different nomination and roll dates. The VEC's current candidate page and the Parliament of Victoria both give the dates above, so we've used those.

Why the nomination deadline matters: the One Nation Melbourne example

The timing came into focus this weekend. One Nation's candidate for the Greens-held seat of Melbourne, Matthew Collins, resigned and apologised after offensive past social media posts came to light, as reported by The Age and confirmed by ABC News. In a statement released through the party, he called the comments "unacceptable". A One Nation spokesperson said the party didn't condone them and had accepted his resignation (ABC News, The Age).

Because formal nominations haven't opened yet, his name won't be on the ballot paper. The ABC reports One Nation says it's too early to say who will replace him. The party has until 12 noon on 9 November to nominate someone else for Melbourne. Under the new law, a party can also withdraw a disendorsed candidate's nomination, but only before nominations close.

This matters more than usual for One Nation. The Age reports the party is polling around 23% of the primary vote in its latest Resolve Political Monitor, and our polls explainer covers the wider numbers.

What it means for you

Voting early

The VEC says the early voting period is shorter than at past elections. It's nine days, and early voting centres are closed on Sunday 22 November. The VEC says every early voting centre will also be an election day voting centre (VEC).

Voting by post

Anyone can apply for a postal vote at this election. Applications open on 4 November and close at 6pm on 25 November (VEC). Apply early if you'll be away, because your ballot still has to reach you and get back in time.

Filling in the upper house ballot

Group voting tickets used to let parties decide where your preferences flowed if you voted 1 above the line. With them gone, you set your own preferences. According to the VEC's current instructions:

• Above the line: number at least 5 group boxes, starting with 1 for your first choice.
• Below the line: number at least 5 candidate boxes, starting with 1 for your first choice. You can number more if you like.
• Don't mix them: vote either above or below the line, not both.

The lower house (Legislative Assembly) paper hasn't changed: you still number every box. Ticks, crosses, zeros, or missed or repeated numbers can make your vote informal (VEC).

What's next

• Enrolment closes at 8pm on Tuesday 3 November, the same day as the Cup and the RBA decision.
• The VEC publishes candidates as they nominate, and the final ballot-order lists after the draw. We'll update this post with any notable late changes, including One Nation's replacement for Melbourne.
• The four-leader forum is on 17 November, the day before early voting opens.

The Rundowns News is independent and not affiliated with any party. Dates are as published by the VEC as of 1 November 2026. The VEC can change them, so check vec.vic.gov.au before relying on one.