According to a Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) report less Lalor Ward voters participated in the 2025 by-election than in the general election 10 months earlier.
The VEC by-election report tabled by Whittlesea council on 17 February, revealed a 6 per cent drop in participation when voters returned to the polls after the general election result was voided.
According to the report, 76.36 per cent of the 15,340 enrolled voters participated in the August 2025 by-election, compared to 82.49 per cent in the October 2024 election.
The Lalor Ward by-election was held after the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal voided the 2024 election result, following findings of voting interference.
The VEC report details that Lalor Ward voters were informed of the by-election through text messages, social media and public notices.
In the report, VEC said it received two written complaints during the by-election which were both related to the conduct of the election and VEC services to voters.
VEC received the highest number of phone calls about the by-election in late July 2025, between mailing out ballot packs to voters and closing voting.
In the by-election results Stevan Kozemevski received the highest number of first-preference votes at 22.27 per cent. Mr Kozemevski won the 2024 Lalor Ward election but lost his position after the result was voided.
Michael Labrador received 11.23 per cent of first preference votes, but after preference distribution he had the majority (52.43 per cent) over Mr Kozemevski (47.57 per cent).
