**2026 Victorian State Election**
The 2026 Victorian state election is a scheduled parliamentary election to elect members to the Parliament of Victoria, Australia. It will determine the composition of the 60-member Legislative Assembly and the 40-member Legislative Council, shaping the state government for the following term.
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## 2026 Victorian State Election
The 2026 Victorian state election is set to be held on Saturday, 28 November 2026, to elect members to the 61st Parliament of Victoria. This election will decide all 88 seats in the Victorian Parliament, comprising 60 seats in the Legislative Assembly and 40 seats in the Legislative Council. The election will determine which party or coalition will form government and who will serve as Premier of Victoria for the subsequent four-year term.
### Background
Victoria is one of Australia’s six states, with a bicameral parliamentary system consisting of the Legislative Assembly (lower house) and the Legislative Council (upper house). The state government is formed by the party or coalition that commands a majority in the Legislative Assembly. The Premier is the leader of the governing party or coalition.
The previous Victorian state election was held on 26 November 2022. The Australian Labor Party (ALP), led by Premier Daniel Andrews, secured a third consecutive term in government, winning a majority in the Legislative Assembly. The Liberal-National Coalition, led by Matthew Guy, remained in opposition. The 2026 election will be the first state election since Daniel Andrews announced his resignation as Premier in September 2023, with Jacinta Allan succeeding him as leader of the ALP and Premier.
### Electoral System
#### Legislative Assembly
The 60 members of the Legislative Assembly are elected from single-member electoral districts using full preferential voting. Voters rank candidates in order of preference, and a candidate must secure an absolute majority (more than 50%) of the vote to be elected. If no candidate achieves this on first preferences, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated, and their votes are redistributed according to preferences until a candidate reaches a majority.
#### Legislative Council
The 40 members of the Legislative Council are elected from eight regions, each electing five members, using proportional representation through the single transferable vote (STV) system. Voters can either vote above the line for parties or groups or below the line for individual candidates. This system aims to provide a more proportional reflection of voter preferences in the upper house.
### Political Context
#### Labor Party
The Australian Labor Party has governed Victoria since 2014, initially under Premier Daniel Andrews. The party has focused on infrastructure development, health and education investment, and social policy reforms. Jacinta Allan, who became Premier in 2023, is expected to lead the party into the 2026 election, emphasizing continuity and progress on key policy areas.
#### Liberal-National Coalition
The Liberal Party and the National Party form a coalition in Victoria, traditionally representing conservative and rural interests. After the 2022 election defeat, the Coalition has been rebuilding under new leadership. The 2026 election will be a critical test of their ability to regain voter support, particularly in regional and suburban areas.
#### Minor Parties and Independents
Victoria has a diverse political landscape with several minor parties and independents holding seats, especially in the Legislative Council. The Greens, Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party, and other minor parties often influence legislation through balance-of-power positions. Their role in the 2026 election will be significant in shaping the upper house’s composition.
### Key Issues
Several issues are expected to dominate the 2026 Victorian state election campaign:
– **Infrastructure and Transport:** Continued investment in public transport, road projects, and regional connectivity remains a priority for voters.
– **Health and Education:** Funding and management of hospitals, mental health services, and schools are critical concerns.
– **Cost of Living:** Rising living costs, housing affordability, and energy prices are likely to be central themes.
– **Climate Change and Environment:** Policies addressing climate change, renewable energy, and environmental protection will be debated.
– **Law and Order:** Crime rates and community safety are perennial issues influencing voter sentiment.
– **Regional Development:** Economic growth and service delivery in regional Victoria will be a focus, especially for the Coalition and minor parties.
### Campaign
The official campaign period will commence several weeks before the election date, with parties releasing policy platforms, engaging in debates, and conducting outreach to voters. Media coverage and opinion polls will track public sentiment and electoral prospects.
### Voting and Enrollment
Voting in Victorian state elections is compulsory for all eligible citizens aged 18 and over. Voters must be enrolled on the state electoral roll to participate. Early voting and postal voting options are available to increase accessibility.
### Results and Aftermath
The election results will be announced progressively on election night and in the following days as votes are counted and preferences distributed. The party or coalition with a majority in the Legislative Assembly will be invited by the Governor of Victoria to form government. The composition of the Legislative Council will influence the government’s ability to pass legislation.
The 2026 Victorian state election will shape the state’s political landscape and policy direction for the next four years, impacting millions of residents and the broader Australian federation.
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## Electoral Divisions and Regions
### Legislative Assembly Districts
Victoria is divided into 60 electoral districts for the Legislative Assembly. Each district elects one member. The boundaries are periodically reviewed by the Victorian Electoral Boundaries Commission to ensure equal representation based on population changes.
### Legislative Council Regions
The Legislative Council is divided into eight regions, each electing five members:
1. Eastern Metropolitan
2. North-Eastern Metropolitan
3. Northern Metropolitan
4. South-Eastern Metropolitan
5. Southern Metropolitan
6. Western Metropolitan
7. Eastern Victoria
8. Western Victoria
These regions combine metropolitan and regional areas to balance representation.
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## Historical Context
### Previous Elections
– **2022 Victorian State Election:** Labor won a third term with 56 seats in the Legislative Assembly. The Coalition secured 28 seats, and independents and minor parties held the remainder.
– **2018 Victorian State Election:** Labor achieved a landslide victory, winning 55 seats.
– **2014 Victorian State Election:** Labor returned to government after 11 years in opposition.
### Political Trends
Victoria has generally leaned towards the Labor Party in recent decades, particularly in metropolitan Melbourne. The Liberal-National Coalition maintains stronger support in regional and rural areas. Minor parties and independents have gained influence, especially in the Legislative Council.
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## Electoral Administration
The Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) is responsible for conducting state elections, including voter registration, candidate nominations, polling, vote counting, and result declaration. The VEC also provides voter education and ensures the integrity and transparency of the electoral process.
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## Impact and Significance
The 2026 Victorian state election will have significant implications for:
– **State Governance:** Determining leadership and policy direction.
– **Federal-State Relations:** Influencing Victoria’s role in national politics.
– **Economic and Social Policy:** Affecting infrastructure, health, education, and environmental strategies.
– **Democratic Participation:** Reflecting voter engagement and political trends.
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## See Also
– Parliament of Victoria
– Victorian Electoral Commission
– Australian Labor Party (Victorian Branch)
– Liberal Party of Australia (Victorian Division)
– National Party of Australia – Victoria
– Victorian state elections
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## References
*Note: This article is based on publicly available information and does not include external references.*
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**META_DESCRIPTION:**
The 2026 Victorian state election will elect members to Victoria’s Parliament, determining the state government and Premier for the next term. This article outlines the electoral system, political context, key issues, and significance of the election.