General News
14 November, 2022
Early voting centres open, ballot order released
Early voting centres are now open for the 2022 state election, and the ballot order for Ripon’s candidates has been released. Nine candidates will be battling for the marginal seat, with ballot draws taking place across the state on Friday...
Early voting centres are now open for the 2022 state election, and the ballot order for Ripon’s candidates has been released.
Nine candidates will be battling for the marginal seat, with ballot draws taking place across the state on Friday afternoon.
The candidates in ballot order are:
• Luke Smith (Shooters, Fishers and Farmers)
• Wayne Rigg (Independent)
• Earl James (Greens)
• Martha Haylett (Labor)
• Wren Louise Wilson (Derryn Hinch’s Justice Party)
• Louise Staley (Liberal)
• Holly Sitters (Animal Justice Party)
• Craig George (Family First Victoria)
• Bernard Quince (Independent)
Ripon is one of the most marginal seats in Victoria, with current member Louise Staley retaining the seat in 2018 by just 15 votes following a recount from Labor’s candidate at the time Sarah De Santis.
Electoral commissioner Warwick Gately said more than half of all Victorian voters are expected to vote early this year, and urged voters to start thinking about their voting preferences.
“Almost half of informal votes cast are unintentionally informal,” he 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.”
There is one early voting station for Ripon voters in the Central Goldfields Shire, in Maryborough at Tren Du Bourg Hall at 3 Neill Street.
Opening hours and days for the centre will be:
•Tuesday, November 15
from 8.30 am to 8 pm
•Wednesday, November 16
from 8.30 am to 6 pm
• Thursday, November 17
from 8.30 am to 8 pm
• Friday, November 18
from 8.30 am to 6 pm
• Saturday, November 19
from 9 am to 5 pm
• Monday, November 21
from 8.30 am to 6 pm
• Tuesday, November 22
from 8.30 am to 6 pm
• Wednesday, November 23
from 8.30 am to 6 pm
•Thursday, November 24
from 8.30 am to 8 pm
• Friday, November 25
from 8.30 am to 6 pm