It is the biggest pool of contenders since 1997 when 25 hopefuls ran for the first vote held after commissioners had been appointed to manage a new-look Wodonga Council formed through Victorian premier Jeff Kennett’s redrawing of local government boundaries.

At the last election in 2012 there were 13 candidates and in 2008 the contest involved 20 contenders.

Wodonga mayor Anna Speedie suggested the large field reflected the fact four seats on the council were vacant with Eric Kerr, Mark Byatt, Rodney Wangman and Lisa Mahood not continuing.

“When you’ve got four vacant positions I think it tends to bring more people out,” Cr Speedie said.

The 24 candidates are made up of 18 men and six women.

The ballot draw on Tuesday afternoon resulted in the following listing – 

The election will be decided in via postal votes which are scheduled to be mailed from October 4 to 6.