The VEC also conducted a ballot draw which randomnly chooses the order of candidates as they appear on the ballot paper.

Labor candidates fill the top two positions on the card on two of the three council wards.

Veteran South Ward Councillor Des Hudson took out the top ballot position in Ballarat's southern suburbs, with fellow Labor-endorsed candidate Bridget Aithchison filling the second row.

It's a similar story in North Ward with first-time Labor candidate Jay Morrison on top of the ballot, followed by sitting councillor Daniel Moloney, also a Labor endorsed candidate. This is the first Ballarat council election where the Australian labor party has formally endorsed candidates.

READ MORE

Former independent federal election candidate Nick Shady has the top rung in central ward, with Labor's Kumada Simpson at two.

The normally public ballot was conducted behind closed doors due to COVID-19 restrictions, with results posted outside the VEC office in Alfredton shortly after 1pm on Tuesday. While the level of 'donkey votes', or simply voting in order of candidates as they appear, is difficult to measure - as distinct from informal or incomplete votes, the simplicity of the postal votes aims to minimise invalid votes.

North Ward, Councillor Daniel Moloney said he was a little disappointed at the number of candidates on the ticket.

"If anything I'm a bit disappointed that there hasn't been a bigger turn out," he said. "We've got eight in each ward.

"I suspect the biggest issue is probably COVID-19, which has led to a smaller turn out as it's so much harder to get there and meet people. You can't door knock, you can't do any face-to-face forums,.

"But unfortunately, there are only 24 people out of Ballarat's 110,000 that are prepared to put their hand up for council which is a bit disappointing. You'd like to see more people actively engaged and for me that's the challenge this time around."

Cr Amy Johnson said she did not place much weight on voting orders.

"I think people are pretty well sophisticated about how they vote and the position on the ballot shouldn't have an impact," she said.

"I don't think candidates should be assessing their chance of success by the position on the ballot, it should be more on the work you've put in to engage and connect with residents, and if you're fortunate enough to have been on council, it should be your records of achievements over the past four years is what residents will reflect on when voting."

Cr Belinda Coates agreed, saying for residents who were actively engaged across local government matters, the position wouldn't matter.

"It's a perceived advantage and it probably is a small advantage, however I always say that people out there will take their opportunities to vote seriously and make an informed decision," she said.

"People do seem to be quite engaged which is always a good thing. Local government is an area of government that perhaps a lot of people don't understand just how broad it is and how much impact it can have on the long-term future of the city.

"This is kind of like a job interview. This is the public test on whether people have seen you do a good job or not."

The VEC will distribute postal votes by mail in early October. Voting closes on Friday, October 23.

If you are seeing this message you are a loyal digital subscriber to The Courier, as we made this story available only to subscribers. Thank you very much for your support and allowing us to continue telling Ballarat's story. We appreciate your support of journalism in our great city.