2026 Victorian state election explained

Election Name:2026 Victorian state election
Country:Victoria
Type:parliamentary
Ongoing:yes
Previous Election:2022 Victorian state election
Previous Year:2022
Next Election:2030 Victorian state election
Next Year:2030
Seats For Election:All 88 seats in the Victorian Legislative Assembly
All 40 seats in the Victorian Legislative Council
45 Assembly seats are needed for a majority
Election Date:28 November 2026
Opinion Polls:
  1. Opinion polling
Colour1:F00011
Leader1:Jacinta Allan
Leader Since1:27 September 2023
Party1:Australian Labor Party (Victorian Branch)
Leaders Seat1:Bendigo East
Last Election1:56 seats, 36.66%
Seats Before1:54
Colour2:0A567B
Leader2:John Pesutto
Leader Since2:8 December 2022
Party2:Liberal/National Coalition
Leaders Seat2:Hawthorn
Seats Before2:28
Seats Needed2: 17
Colour3:10c25b
Leader Since3:23 April 2024
Party3:Greens
Leaders Seat3:Melbourne
Last Election3:4 seats, 11.50%
Seats Before3:4
Seats Needed3: 41
Map: -->
Premier
Before Election:Jacinta Allan
Before Party:Australian Labor Party (Victorian Branch)
Posttitle:Premier after election

The 2026 Victorian state election is expected to be held on 28 November 2026 to elect the 61st Parliament of Victoria.[1] All 88 seats in the Legislative Assembly (lower house) and all 40 seats in the Legislative Council (upper house) will be up for election, presuming there are no new electorates added in a redistribution.

The Labor government, currently led by Premier Jacinta Allan, will attempt to win a record fourth consecutive four-year term against the Liberal/National Coalition opposition, currently led by John Pesutto.

The election will be administered by the Victorian Electoral Commission.

Background

Previous election and parliament

See also: Results of the 2022 Victorian state election (Legislative Assembly) and Members of the Victorian Legislative Assembly, 2022–2026.

See also: Results of the 2022 Victorian state election (Legislative Council) and Members of the Victorian Legislative Council, 2022–2026.

The Daniel Andrews-led Labor government was returned to power in 2014 after winning a majority of seats in the Legislative Assembly at the 2014 state election. The Labor party was re-elected at the 2018 state election and again at the 2022 state election, winning 56 seats. The Liberal/National Coalition gained one seat to 28 seats, the Greens won 4 seats. In the Legislative Council, the Labor party won 15 of the 40 seats.

Jacinta Allan and the Labor government is expected to be seeking a four-year term, after the previous premier Daniel Andrews announced his resignation as Premier of Victoria and Member for Mulgrave in September 2023, effective the following day.[2]

Opposition Leader Matthew Guy stood down as Liberal leader a day after the party's poor result at the 2022 election, with John Pesutto elected as the new leader after the ensuing party room ballot.

Since the last state election there have been three by-elections; the 2023 Narracan state by-election held in January 2023, the 2023 Warrandyte state by-election held in August 2023, and the 2023 Mulgrave state by-election held on 18 November 2023.

Electoral system

Eligible Victorian electors are required to cast a ballot due to compulsory voting laws. The eligibility criteria for enrolment to vote includes being 18 years or older, an Australian citizen, and to have lived in Victoria for longer than a month.

Legislative Assembly

For the election of members to single seats of the Legislative Assembly, the Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) uses full preferential voting where for a vote to count, it is required to number every box on the ballot in the order of the most preferred candidate for the particular electoral district an elector is registered to vote in.[3] The election will cover all 88 Seats of the Victorian Legislative Assembly.[4]

Legislative Council

For the election of members to multi-member state regions in the Legislative Council the VEC uses optional preferential voting where voters can either vote for a political party or a group voting ticket 'above the line' or vote for individual candidates 'below the line'.Members of the Legislative Council represent state regions. There are currently eight state regions, they make up of eleven Legislative Assembly districts and are each represented by five members of Parliament in the Legislative Council.[5]

When voting 'above the line', for a vote to count, voters are required to write the number 1 for the political party or group of candidates they prefer. Preferences will then be automatically distributed based on the registered preference order provided to the VEC by the group voting ticket.

When voting 'below the line', for a vote to count, voters are required to number a minimum of 5 boxes on the ballot in the order of their most preferred candidate.

Candidates and retiring MPs

The following members announced that they were not contesting the 2026 election:

Liberal

Date

In accordance to the timetable set out in the Electoral Act 2002 (VIC), the terms of elected officials to Victorian Parliament are on a fixed term basis. All elections since the 2006 have occurred every four years on the last Saturday of November. Unless the Governor of Victoria unexpectedly dissolves parliament, the election is expected to be held on 28 November 2026.[7]

Expected timeline of the election

Pre-electoral pendulum

Labor seats (54)
SeatMemberPartyMargin
Marginal
NorthcoteKat TheophanousALP0.2% v GRN
BassJordan CrugnaleALP0.2%
PakenhamEmma VulinALP0.4%
HastingsPaul MercurioALP1.4%
Pascoe ValeAnthony CianfloneALP2.0% v GRN
PrestonNathan LambertALP2.1% v GRN
RiponMartha HaylettALP3.0%
Glen WaverleyJohn MullahyALP3.3%
BayswaterJackson TaylorALP4.2%
FootscrayKatie HallALP4.2% v GRN
Yan YeanLauren KathageALP4.3%
MeltonSteve McGhieALP4.6%
Fairly safe
AshwoodMatt FregonALP6.2%
MulgraveEden FosterALP6.2% v IND
SunburyJosh BullALP6.4%
NiddrieBen CarrollALP6.7%
GreenvaleIwan WaltersALP7.1%
EurekaMichaela SettleALP7.2%
Box HillPaul HamerALP7.2%
MonbulkDaniela De MartinoALP7.6%
BentleighNick StaikosALP8.0%
MordiallocTim RichardsonALP8.2%
Narre Warren SouthGary MaasALP8.3%
Point CookMathew HilakariALP8.3%
BellarineAlison MarchantALP8.5%
FrankstonPaul EdbrookeALP8.7%
Narre Warren NorthBelinda WilsonALP8.7%
SydenhamNatalie HutchinsALP8.8%
CranbournePauline RichardsALP9.0%
ElthamVicki WardALP9.0%
MacedonMary-Anne ThomasALP9.5%
St AlbansNatalie SuleymanALP9.6%
CarrumSonya KilkennyALP9.8%
South BarwonDarren CheesemanALP9.8%
Safe
ClarindaMeng Heang TakALP10.2%
Bendigo EastJacinta AllanALP10.8%
WerribeeTim PallasALP10.9%
Albert ParkNina TaylorALP11.2%
Mill ParkLily D'AmbrosioALP11.6%
WendoureeJuliana AddisonALP11.9%
TarneitDylan WightALP12.3%
EssendonDanny PearsonALP12.5%
BundooraColin BrooksALP12.7%
IvanhoeAnthony CarbinesALP13.0%
WilliamstownMelissa HorneALP13.4%
OakleighSteve DimopoulosALP13.5%
KororoitLuba GrigorovitchALP14.5%
Bendigo WestMaree EdwardsALP14.6%
GeelongChristine CouzensALP14.7%
BroadmeadowsKathleen Matthews-WardALP15.5%
ThomastownBronwyn HalfpennyALP15.8%
LaraElla GeorgeALP15.9%
KalkalloRos SpenceALP16.5%
DandenongGabrielle WilliamsALP18.3%
LavertonSarah ConnollyALP18.4%
Liberal/National seats (28)
SeatMemberPartyMargin
Marginal
MorningtonChris CrewtherLIB0.7% v IND
BenambraBill TilleyLIB0.9% v IND
MilduraJade BenhamNAT1.2% v IND
CroydonDavid HodgettLIB1.4%
HawthornJohn PesuttoLIB1.7%
PolwarthRichard RiordanLIB1.8%
CaulfieldDavid SouthwickLIB2.1%
RowvilleKim WellsLIB3.7%
KewJess WilsonLIB4.0%
WarrandyteNicole WernerLIB4.3%
MorwellMartin CameronNAT4.4%
BerwickBrad BattinLIB4.7%
SandringhamBrad RowswellLIB5.0%
BrightonJames NewburyLIB5.1%
EvelynBridget VallenceLIB5.4%
BulleenMatthew GuyLIB5.9%
Fairly safe
NepeanSam GrothLIB6.4%
SheppartonKim O'KeeffeNAT6.8% v IND
EildonCindy McLeishLIB7.0%
South-West CoastRoma BritnellLIB8.0%
MalvernMichael O'BrienLIB8.1%
EuroaAnnabelle CleelandNAT9.9%
Safe
NarracanWayne FarnhamLIB13.0% v IND
Gippsland SouthDanny O'BrienNAT15.6%
Ovens ValleyTim McCurdyNAT17.8%
Very safe
LowanEmma KealyNAT21.6%
Murray PlainsPeter WalshNAT23.4%
Gippsland EastTim BullNAT24.6%
Crossbench seats (6)
SeatMemberPartyMargin
RichmondGabrielle de VietriGRN7.3% v ALP
RingwoodALP7.5% v LIB
South BarwonALP9.8% v LIB
MelbourneEllen SandellGRN10.2% v ALP
PrahranSam HibbinsGRN12.0% v LIB
BrunswickTim ReadGRN13.7% v ALP

Opinion polling

Voting intention

+Legislative Assembly (lower house) polling
DateFirmSamplePrimary voteTPP vote
ALPLIBNATGRNOTHALPL/NP
5 August 2024Redbridge[9] 1,51431%40%*12%17%50%50%
14 July 2024Resolve Strategic[10] 1,00027%37%*15%21%50%50%
7 June 2024Redbridge[11] 1,00035%38%*14%13%55%45%
19 May 2024Resolve Strategic[12] 28%37%*13%22%50%50%
24 March 2024Resolve Strategic[13] ~1,10033%35%*13%19%54.6%45.4%
14 – 20 March 2024Redbridge[14] 1,55936%38%*10%16%54%46%
2 – 12 December 2023Redbridge[15] [16] 2,00037%36%*13%14%55.9%44.1%
3 December 2023Resolve Strategic[17] ~1,10037%31%*11%20%56.5%43.5%
September – October 2023Resolve Strategic[18] ~1,10039%32%*12%17%57.5%42.5%
27 September 2023
Jacinta Allan becomes premier and Labor leader
31 August – 14 September 2023Redbridge[19] 3,00137%34%*13%16%56.5%43.5%
July – August 2023Resolve Strategic[20] ~1,10039%28%*13%20%60%40%
19 – 20 July 2023Roy Morgan[21] 1,04633%35.5%*12.5%19%53%47%
May – June 2023Resolve Strategic[22] 1,00341%23%3%15%18%62.5%37.5%
17 – 22 May 2023Roy Morgan[23] 2,09542%28.5%*12.5%17%61.5%38.5%
19 – 22 April 2023Resolve Strategic[24] 1,60942%30%*10%17%60.5%39.5%
15 – 18 February 2023Resolve Strategic[25] 82541%30%*13%17%60.9%39.1%
8 December 2022
John Pesutto becomes Liberal leader and leader of the opposition
26 November 2022 election[26] N/AN/A37.0%29.6%4.8%11.5%17.1%55%45%
21 – 24 November 2022Newspoll[27] 1,22638%35%*12%15%54.5%45.5%
  • Indicates a combined Liberal/National primary vote.
Newspoll polling is published in The Australian.[28]

Preferred premier and satisfaction

+ Better premier and satisfaction polling*
DateFirmBetter premierAllanPesutto
AllanPesuttoSatisfiedDissatisfiedSatisfiedDissatisfied
14 July 2024Resolve Strategic31%28%not askednot asked
19 May 2024Resolve Strategic[29] 31%26%not askednot asked
24 March 2024Resolve Strategic34%25%not askednot asked
22 December 2023Redbridgenot asked24%30%16%29%
3 December 2023Resolve Strategic34%22%not askednot asked
September – October 2023Resolve Strategic38%19%not askednot asked
27 September 2023 Allan replaces AndrewsAndrewsPesuttoAndrewsPesutto
July – August 2023Resolve Strategic41%32%not askednot asked
19 – 20 July 2023Roy Morgan52.5%47.5%45%55%not asked
May – June 2023Resolve Strategic49%26%not askednot asked
17 – 22 May 2023Roy Morgan64%36%52.5%47.5%46.5%53.5%
19 – 22 April 2023Resolve Strategic49%28%not askednot asked
15 – 18 February 2023Resolve Strategic50%26%not askednot asked
8 December 2022 Pesutto replaces GuyAndrewsGuyAndrewsGuy
26 November 2022 election
21 – 24 November 2022Newspoll51%35%46%48%31%56%
  • Remainder were "uncommitted" or "other/neither".
    † Participants were forced to choose.
Newspoll polling is published in The Australian.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: State elections . . 4 November 2022 . 12 August 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230812014801/https://vec.vic.gov.au/voting/types-of-elections/state-elections . live.
  2. News: Daniel Andrews to stand down as Victorian premier immediately. The Age. 26 September 2023. 26 September 2023. 29 September 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230929112647/https://www.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/daniel-andrews-expected-to-step-down-as-victorian-premier-20230926-p5e7py.html. live.
  3. Web site: Preferential voting . . 6 November 2022 . en . 7 November 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221107000646/https://www.vec.vic.gov.au/voting/how-voting-works/preferential-voting . live.
  4. Web site: State districts . . 6 November 2022 . en . 7 November 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221107000644/https://www.vec.vic.gov.au/electoral-boundaries/state-districts . live.
  5. Web site: State regions . . 6 November 2022 . en . 7 November 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221107000650/https://www.vec.vic.gov.au/electoral-boundaries/state-regions . live.
  6. News: Deery . Shannon . 13 March 2024 . Bill Tilley announces this will be his last term in office . Herald Sun . 13 March 2024.
  7. Web site: Fact Sheet G3: Elections . Parliament of Victoria . 6 November 2022 . 10 March 2015 . 17 June 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160617121257/http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/assembly/publications-a-research/fact-sheets/2453-fact-sheet-g3 . live.
  8. Web site: Fact Sheet A2: Terminology used in Parliament . Parliament of Victoria . 7 November 2022 . 24 March 2015 . 7 November 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221107003934/https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/assembly/publications-a-research/fact-sheets/2-legislative-assembly/articles/2467-fact-sheet-a2 . live.
  9. News: Shannon. Deery. Victorian voters vent anger at Allan government in shock poll result. Herald Sun. 7 June 2024. 5 August 2024. subscription.
  10. Web site: Smethurst . Annika . 2024-07-18 . Labor primary vote slumps under Premier Jacinta Allan . 2024-07-18 . The Age . en.
  11. Web site: Jacinta Allan's Labor government would win election, polling shows. Herald Sun. Shannon. Deery. 7 June 2024. 7 June 2024. subscription.
  12. Web site: Smethurst . Annika . 2024-05-21 . Labor's popularity plunges as voters demand government tackle debt . 2024-05-22 . The Age . en . 21 May 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240521210841/https://www.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/labor-s-popularity-plunges-as-voters-demand-government-tackle-debt-20240520-p5jf41.html . live.
  13. Web site: Smethurst . Annika . 28 March 2024 . Slip in Labor support pushes Pesutto's team ahead for first time in years . 28 March 2024 . . en-AU . 27 March 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240327235558/https://www.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/slip-in-labor-support-pushes-pesutto-s-team-ahead-for-first-time-in-years-20240327-p5ffl9.html . live.
  14. Web site: Coalition records best primary vote result since June 2021: poll. Herald Sun. Shannon. Deery. 25 March 2024. 25 March 2024. subscription. 25 March 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240325001326/https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/coalition-records-best-primary-vote-result-since-june-2021-poll/news-story/a8656e6e9eafd8960765483a9ffb51e8. live.
  15. Web site: Liberal brand a 'very damaged product in Victoria', Redbridge Director Tony Barry says. Herald Sun. Carly. Douglas. 22 December 2023. 22 December 2023. subscription.
  16. Web site: Victorian public opinion and vote intention . 27 December 2023 . RedBridge Group . 27 December 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231227003400/https://redbridgegroup.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Redbridge-Vic-public-opinion-and-vote-intention-Dec-2023.pdf . live.
  17. Web site: Support for Allan dips, but Labor holds strong lead over Coalition. Annika. Smethurst. 8 December 2023. The Age. 9 December 2023. 22 May 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240522050444/https://www.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/support-for-allan-dips-but-labor-holds-strong-lead-over-coalition-20231208-p5eq38.html. live.
  18. Web site: Jacinta Allan maintains commanding lead over Coalition but gap narrows. Annika. Smethurst. 11 October 2023. The Age. 12 October 2023. 11 October 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231011203853/https://www.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/jacinta-allan-maintains-commanding-lead-over-coalition-but-gap-narrows-20231010-p5eb5f.html. live.
  19. Web site: Victorian vote intention . 19 September 2023 . RedBridge Group . 29 September 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230929094330/https://redbridgegroup.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Vic-votes-survey-Sept-2023.pdf . live.
  20. Web site: Labor's lead stays strong but Andrews' personal popularity falls. Annika. Smethurst. 16 August 2023. The Age. 17 August 2023. 22 May 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240522050445/https://www.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/labor-s-lead-stays-strong-but-andrews-personal-popularity-falls-20230816-p5dx0e.html. live.
  21. Web site: Support for Victorian Government and Premier Daniel Andrews plunges after cancellation of Commonwealth Games. Roy Morgan. 21 July 2023. 20 July 2023. 21 July 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230721013947/https://www.roymorgan.com/findings/support-for-victorian-government-and-premier-daniel-andrews-plunges-after-cancellation-of-commonwealth-games. live.
  22. Web site: 'Can't get much lower': Pesutto's Coalition sinks to new low in polls. The Age. Annika. Smethurst. 14 June 2023. 14 June 2023. subscription. 14 June 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230614171021/https://www.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/can-t-get-much-lower-pesutto-s-coalition-sinks-to-new-low-in-polls-20230614-p5dgeq.html. live.
  23. Web site: Support for the Andrews Government up since the Victorian Election; Pesutto's handling of Moira Deeming had a negative impact on his job approval as leader. Roy Morgan. 23 May 2023. 23 May 2023. 24 May 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230524025714/https://www.roymorgan.com/findings/9218-roy-morgan-survey-on-voting-intention-in-victoria-may-23-2023. live.
  24. Web site: Labor holds lead over state Coalition, but Deeming drama fails to make dent. The Age. Annika. Smethurst. 24 April 2023. 24 April 2023. subscription. 23 April 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230423234458/https://www.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/labor-holds-lead-over-state-coalition-but-deeming-drama-fails-to-make-dent-20230421-p5d2cc.html. live.
  25. Web site: Smethurst . Annika . 20 February 2023 . Support for Daniel Andrews rises as he marks 3000 days in office . . 21 February 2023 . 20 February 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230220232515/https://www.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/support-for-daniel-andrews-rises-as-he-marks-3000-days-in-office-20230219-p5clok.html . live.
  26. Web site: 2022 State election results . 20 February 2023 . Victorian Electoral Commission . en-AU . 20 February 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230220032540/https://www.vec.vic.gov.au/results/state-election-results/2022-state-election-results . live.
  27. News: Baxendale . Rachel . 25 November 2022 . Victorian election: Despite a swing, Newspoll puts Daniel Andrews on track to win . . live . subscription . 25 November 2022 . https://archive.today/20221125103758/https://amp.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/victorian-election-despite-a-swing-newspoll-puts-daniel-andrews-on-track-to-win/news-story/e14d47a0f60223d09d05c124a620a48a . 25 November 2022.
  28. Web site: Opinion Polls . 16 July 2020 . 27 February 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150227074645/http://polling.newspoll.com.au/cgi-bin/polling/display_poll_data.pl?url_caller=&mode=trend&page=show_polls&question_set_id=11 . dead.
  29. Web site: Smethurst . Annika . 2024-05-21 . Labor's popularity plunges as voters demand government tackle debt . 2024-05-22 . The Age . en . 21 May 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240521210841/https://www.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/labor-s-popularity-plunges-as-voters-demand-government-tackle-debt-20240520-p5jf41.html . live.