A few years ago, fantastic Greens candidate for Greater Bendigo City Council, Jen Alden (pictured at left), missed out on being elected by a mere five votes. She later discovered five locals who had intended to vote for her, but hadn't checked and updated their electoral enrolment details, and thus hadn't been eligible to vote.

The electoral roll for the 29 November local government elections close on 3 October 2008. Please take a moment now to check that you are enrolled to vote by clicking here.

Just because your name was on the roll at the last election doesn't mean it's still there now. Under John Howard's electoral "reforms", your name can be removed from the electoral roll without your knowledge.

If you can't find your name on the electoral roll, you should fill out a fresh enrolment form, sign it, have it witnessed and post it (free of charge). Enrolment forms are also available at post offices. Any Australian citizen can be a witness. Your signed form must be received by the Victorial Electoral Commission by 4pm on 3 October.