MONASH council raked in $326,309 in fines from thousands of forgetful or lazy locals who neglected to send in their votes during the previous election.
The Victorian Electoral Commission, which was contracted by Monash to enforce voting, slugged 6849 residents with fines for failing to vote at the 2008 council elections.
Voters are intially given the benefit of the doubt and asked to provide excuses for not voting.
But anyone whose excuses didn't make the cut, including those who didn't respond, copped a $56 fine.
The council later retracted 1095 notices after speaking to non-voters.
Voting is compulsory at a council election for residents on the state electoral roll. Residents aged over 70 are encouraged to vote, as are non-resident property owners, but will not be fined if they don't.
Monash council will use a postal voting system that is expected to cost about $442,000.
Ballot packs will be mailed to residents between October 9 and 11 and have to lodge them with the council's returning officer before voting closes at 6pm on Friday, October 26.
Nominations will open this Thursday for the council election and will stay open until noon on Tuesday, September 25. Councillors Tom Morrissey, Micaela Drieberg, Paul Klisaris, Geoff Lake, Stephen Dimopoulos and Jieh-Yung Lo have already announced that they'll contest their seats. Mayor Stefanie Perri also said she would be running.
Councillors Greg Male, Joy Banerji and Denise McGill confirmed they would not stand.
Cr Charlotte Baines was the only councillor who declined to say whether she would run.
The Monash Ratepayers have already vowed to try and contest the election in every ward.
President Des Olin said that the level of communication between current councillors and the community was "found wanting" and it was time for new blood.
"We'll be trustworthy in providing transparency, providing the true character of what Monash wants in the muncipality," he said.
"We need to have the community consulted on what's going on."