Build a Ballot Victoria - Launch Party

Hey Victoria… let’s get election day ready, together!

On Thursday 12 November, we’re throwing a party at Abbotsford Convent to launch Build a Ballot for the 2026 Victorian election, and we want you there!

Build a Ballot is a free, non-partisan tool that helps you plan your vote. You rate your support for policies on issues like housing, cost of living, climate and healthcare, and see how closely the candidates in your electorate match your views. Then you rank them in your own order and take your personalised plan to the ballot box on election day. We don’t tell you how to vote. We help you understand what you’re voting for.

Since launching for the 2025 federal election, over 600,000 people from every corner of the country have used Build a Ballot to get election ready. And none of that came from a paid campaign. It spread because people like you sent it to their group chats, showed their parents and put it on their stories. And we want to celebrate that. Celebrate you!

So, come and build with us!

What you can expect

• Live music from Jerry and DJ JNETT, plus a special act still to be announced (trust us, you’ll want to be there)

• Democracy sausages (obviously)

• A full bar with drinks available to purchase, plus non-alcoholic drinks from our friends at Heaps Normal

• Ice cream from our friends at Ben & Jerry’s

• And a whole lot more fun 👀

Why it matters

Victorians head to the polls on Saturday 28 November. Plenty of people care deeply about what’s at stake but don’t have the time to dig through every candidate’s policies. This night is about making informed voting easy, and fun. Informed voting? That’s hot!

Grab your mates, bring your family, hell, bring your whole office (it’s a Thursday evening after all). Together, we can build our ballots (and build a better democracy)!

The details

📅 Thursday 12 November 2026

🕡 6:30pm – 11pm

📍 Abbotsford Convent, 1 St Heliers St, Abbotsford VIC 3067

🎟️ $35 (your ticket includes a democracy sausage and a Ben & Jerry’s ice cream!)

🍹 Drinks are available to purchase at the bar

🔞 This is an 18+ event. Please bring valid ID

How to get here

• Train: Take the Mernda or Hurstbridge line to Victoria Park Station, then it’s a 10–15 minute walk.

• Bus: Take the 200 or 207 along Johnston Street to the Clarke Street stop, then it’s a 3–5 minute walk.

• Bike: The Capital City Trail runs right past the Convent. Please dismount at the gate, as the grounds are a pedestrian zone.

• Rideshare and taxi: The Main Entrance (Gate 1) on St Heliers Street is the drop-off and pick-up point.

• Parking: There’s a car park directly across the street from Gate 1 on St Heliers Street.

Once you’re through the gates, follow the signs to the Magdalen Laundry / Industrial School.

Accessibility

• The Main Entrance (Gate 1) on St Heliers Street is wheelchair accessible.

• The event spaces, the Magdalen Laundry and Industrial School, are on the ground floor and wheelchair accessible.

• Accessible parking for permit holders is on St Heliers Street, with two spaces beside Gate 1 and six more at the front of the car park opposite.

• Accessible toilets are just off the Magdalen Laundry. Look for the signs or ask a volunteer on the night.

• Some seating will be available. If you need a seat, let a volunteer know and we’ll make sure you’re looked after.

The Convent is a heritage site, so some paths and buildings can be uneven. If you have any access needs or questions, get in touch at hello@buildaballot.org.au and we’ll do our best to help.