Victorian state election · Legislative Assembly
Hastings
Current member
Paul Mercurio, Australian Labor Party
Candidates
Who's running
6 candidates have been announced or preselected for Hastings, listed by surname. The VEC draws ballot order and publishes the official list after nominations close at 12 noon on 9 November.
Candidate list: Tally Room 2026 seat guide, checked 5 Nov 2026. 4 of 6 candidates have a profile so far, written by this site from the sources listed with it.
A Crib Point local of five years who grew up on the Mornington Peninsula, and has worked in the NDIS sector for several years.
Draft profile, not yet reviewed · sources (1)
Labor member for Hastings since 2022. Before politics an actor, dancer and choreographer, best known for the lead role in Strictly Ballroom (1992) and as a judge on Dancing with the Stars.
Draft profile, not yet reviewed · sources (2)
A former Australian Army soldier who has also worked in government, and bought a first home in the area.
Draft profile, not yet reviewed · sources (1)
A musician, teacher and Mornington Peninsula local.
Draft profile, not yet reviewed · sources (1)
Voting
How to vote in Hastings
Two ballot papers
Lower house (Legislative Assembly): you choose the member for Hastings, from the candidates above.
Upper house (Legislative Council): you help elect the five members for the Eastern Victoria Region.
When and where
- Early voting: Wednesday 18 to Friday 27 November
- Election day: Saturday 28 November
How-to-vote cards
Parties and candidates hand out cards showing the order they suggest. They're only suggestions: you can number the boxes in any order you choose. The VEC publishes every registered card on its website.
Filling in your ballot papers
Lower house: On the smaller lower house ballot paper, you need to number every box in the order of your choice.
Upper house: On the larger upper house ballot paper, you can choose to vote above the line or below the line. Whether you choose to vote above the line or below the line, you need to number at least one to five in your order of choice for your vote to count.
Use numbers only, no ticks or crosses. (Source: VEC)
Group voting tickets have been abolished for the upper house, so its ballot paper works differently from 2022. Check the VEC's guide even if you've voted before. (Source: Proportional Representation Society)
Instructions are quoted from the Victorian Electoral Commission, checked 5 Nov 2026.
Your state member
Contact Paul Mercurio
- Electorate office
- Shop 1,, 13 Eramosa Road West, Somerville, VIC, 3912
- Phone
- 03 5977 5600
- paul.mercurio@parliament.vic.gov.au
- Online
- FacebookInstagramWebsite
Source: Parliament of Victoria, updated 28 Aug 2026.