A guide to the 2026 Victorian state election for the Autistic community

Before you vote

Check your enrolment. You need to be enrolled by 8pm Tuesday 3 November. This is earlier than in past elections. Check your enrolment on the VEC website, or call 131 832 for a paper form.

Find your district and candidates. Use the VEC map to find your district and region. Candidates will be listed on the VEC website after nominations close on 9 November.

Practise at home. The VEC shows you how to fill out your ballot papers. You can also sign up to VoterAlert for free reminders.

Ways to vote

There is no single right way to vote. Choose what suits your needs.

Low-sensory voting is new in every district this year. On Tuesday 17 November, 10am to 4pm, one voting place in each district will have more space around the booths, a quieter venue, softer lighting, and staff who can support people with non-visible disabilities. It is for neurodivergent people, people with sensory needs, and the people who support them.

Other options:

• Early voting: 18 to 27 November, 9am to 6pm (closed Sunday 22 November). You don’t need a reason, and it is often quieter than election day.
• Election day: Saturday 28 November, 8am to 6pm, at any voting centre in Victoria.
• Phone voting: for people who are blind, have low vision, or have a motor impairment and need help to vote. Opens 18 November.
• Postal voting: anyone can apply between 4 November and 6pm 25 November. Apply on the VEC website.

What to expect at a voting centre

1. People outside may hand out how-to-vote cards. You don’t have to take one or talk to anyone.
2. Line up. If waiting is challenging, tell a staff member (they wear maroon vests).
3. Give your name and address. You can write it on paper and show it instead of saying it.
4. Staff give you two ballot papers and explain how to fill them in.
5. Fill them in privately in a voting booth. If you make a mistake, ask for a new one.
6. Put each ballot paper in its ballot box, and you’re done.

You can bring a friend, family member or carer to help you. They must mark your ballot exactly as you tell them.

If you’re supporting someone to vote, you can help them fill in their ballot papers, as long as you mark them the way they tell you.

Tips for a calmer experience

• Pick a quieter time: low-sensory voting, or early voting on a weekday morning.
• Look up your voting centre beforehand, or walk past it during early voting.
• Write your choices on a note to bring with you.
• Bring what helps you regulate, like headphones, sunglasses, a fidget or a snack.
• Ask staff for what you need. You can tell staff you’re Autistic, or that the person you’re with is, but you don’t have to.

Key dates

• Monday 2 November, 5pm: braille ballot paper registration closes
• Tuesday 3 November, 8pm: enrolment closes
• Wednesday 4 November: postal vote applications open
• Tuesday 17 November, 10am to 4pm: low-sensory voting
• Wednesday 18 November: early voting and phone voting open
• Wednesday 25 November, 6pm: postal vote applications close
• Friday 27 November, 6pm: early voting closes
• Saturday 28 November, 8am to 6pm: election day

More help

The VEC has Easy English guides, advice for families and carers and details on all voting options. You can also call the VEC on 131 832.

For autism information and support, contact Autism Connect. 

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