More accessible voting options

AT THE 2026 STATE election in November, Victorians can expect a range of voting options to suit their needs.
The VEC Electoral Commissioner Sven Bluemmel has highlighted a range of accessible options to ensure every Victorian can cast their vote, including in-person voting on the day or during the early voting period.

“Accessible voting services are a critical part of achieving our vision for all Victorians to actively participate in their democracy.
“We have integrated a number of accessibility measures to improve the voting experience, and this remains a priority for us at every election.
“We must work together to identify and eliminate the remaining barriers that prevent electors from voting.
“Some actions will require legislative change, and these will be matters for Parliament to consider,” he said.

The VEC’s final service plan for the State Election was published in August, following more than 18-months of planning.
Every election venue is audited for accessibility, with the aim of having at least one fully accessible voting centre in each district.
Location details and accessibility information will be available on the VEC website from Wednesday, November 4.
Voters at voting centres can also access accessible voting screens, magnifying sheets, and large, tactile pencils.
Voters can also access voting information in 29 languages.
VEC staff will also be ready to help voters who need help to complete their vote.
Postal voting is open to all voters with a simple application available from early November through the VEC website or at Australia Post outlets in Victoria.
More than 400 mobile voting services will reach people in aged-care facilities, hospitals, homeless shelters, and prisons.
Following trials at recent state by-elections, the VEC is also expanding its low sensory voting option to all 88 districts for carers and people with low sensory needs on Tuesday, November 17.
These venues include dimmed lighting and reduced noise.
Voters who are blind, have low vision, or live with a motor impairment can also register for the VEC’s telephone-assisted voting service.
Mr Blummel said this service is a scalable voting option for those who need it, and the VEC has recommended that it should be available to more voters than Victoria’s electoral laws currently allow.
He said the VEC will continue to advocate for this change.

“The VEC’s accessibility approach has been developed over many years, with input from the community, including our Electoral Access Advisory Group, which provides us with independent advice, feedback, and community perspectives on accessible and inclusive election participation,” he said.

For more information about accessible voting services, visit vec.vic.gov.au or call 131 832.

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