Victorian Local Council Voting Closes

As of 6pm tonight (23/10), as the last ballots have been posted, voting on the local government elections in Victoria officially ends. This election has been different to most and included many firsts. The first entirely postal election in Victoria. The first election in Victoria to occur during the Covid-19 pandemic. And the first election with a record number of young progressive people taking on established candidates and running winning campaigns.

This election, Run For It has supported 67 first time candidates and 72 local government candidates in total. We’ve provided one on one support and guidance to candidates. We’ve recruited volunteers and donors for candidates. We’ve produced handbooks and how to guides for candidates. We’ve brought together candidates to share tips and shared lessons. We’ve provided forums on policies for candidates. We’ve amplified their voices on social media and in the media.

This election has made history, young workers have run for the first time, young farmers have run, university students have run, queer young people have run and young people running at the forefront of the climate crisis have run.

Not all of the young people that have run and been supported by Run For It will be elected, but all of these young people are helping to significantly change what politics looks like. The symbolism of them choosing to run will outlive their campaigns and inspire others to stand in future.

For now, we sit and await the results to come, but one this we know for sure. This is only the beginning.

Witten by Ed Krutsch