VOTERS will head to the polls following the Easter long weekend after Indi electorate candidates are officially declared on Friday.
Eight candidates have publicly announced their intention to nominate for Indi, including incumbent Helen Haines (Independent), James Trenery (Liberal), Mitch Bridges (Labor), Alysia Regan (The Greens), Athol Thomas (One Nation), Tim Quilty (Libertarian), Michael White (Family First), and Mark McFarlane (Independent).
Others may have nominated, with the AEC withholding public announcement of candidates until the declaration and ballot draw.
The event will confirm the order of candidates on the ballot paper and it will be held at 12 noon Friday at The Centre, 17 Chisholm Street, Wangaratta.
It’s a contest that is expected to crank up on Monday night with the Victorian Farmers Federation Wangaratta and district branch hosting a candidates forum at 7pm at the North Wangaratta Football Netball Club rooms.
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All members of the public are invited to attend the town hall style Q&A forum to ask candidates questions on any election related topic.
Independent Dr Haines has held the Indi seat for two terms after taking over from fellow Independent Cathy McGowan in 2019.
Ms McGowan famously beat former Liberal MP Sophie Mirabella in a tight contest in 2013 and again at the 2016 election.
In 2019 Dr Haines won 51.4 per cent of the vote over Liberal Party candidate Steve Martin, despite a 4.1pc swing to the Libs.
She backed up in 2022 to beat Liberal candidate Ross Lyman after achieving a 7.55pc swing in her favour.
Voters will be able to head to the polls in Wangaratta after the Easter weekend from Tuesday, 22 April, with the early polling place at Wareena Park Hall.
Opening hours will include 22-24 April (8.30am-5.30pm), 26 April (9am-4pm), 28 April to 1 May (8.30-5.30pm), and 2 May (8.30am-6pm).
Polling places on Election Day voting, 3 May, will be open from 8am to 6pm.
In the Rural City of Wangaratta they include: Fr James Byrne Memorial Hall, White Street; Purbrik Hall-Holy Trinity Cathedral; St Bernards Primary School Hall; Tarrawingee Community Hall; Glenrowan Primary School; Milawa Public Hall; Eldorado Memorial Hall; Moyhu Soldiers Memorial Hall; Springhurst Primary School; and Whorouly Library Hall.
Ballot packs will be sent automatically to registered postal voters, visit https://www.aec.gov.au/election/pva.htm.
