A dedicated electoral roll has opened for Aboriginal Victorians who will vote for a group to shape the rules for treaty negotiations.
Enrolments to vote on the First Peoples' Assembly open on Friday.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders aged 16 or above who live in Victoria and have done so for at least three of the past five years, or are a traditional owner if they live interstate, are eligible.
Registrations will be launched at the Koori Youth Summit at Bacchus Marsh by Treaty Advancement Commissioner Jill Gallagher in an effort to get as many young people involved as possible.
"The community felt it was important that youth play a major role in whatever we design and go forward because it will probably be them that will be negotiating treaties," Ms Gallagher said.
For some Aboriginal Victorians, it's the first time they have enrolled to vote in an election and Ms Gallagher assured the roll would be completely separate from government electoral commissions.
"It's an electoral roll that we're starting from scratch and it will be maintained and protected once the assembly is elected, by the assembly," Ms Gallagher told reporters.
Enrolments will be vetted, including requirements of photo identification with date of birth.
The First People's Assembly will replace the Treaty Advancement Commission and work with the state government to prepare for negotiations, including ground rules.
As well as dropping the voting age to 16, voting will possible online as well as in person or by the post.
"Aboriginal people have been ahead of the times for a long time so I think it's great that we're showing the way to the rest of the country that it can be done," Ms Gallagher said.
Treaty will also be a central part of this year's Dreamtime at the 'G AFL game on May 25, with both Richmond and Essendon football clubs featuring Treaty for Victoria on their guernsey.
FIRST PEOPLES' ASSEMBLY VOTE
* May 10 - enrolment opens
* May 27 - candidate nominations open
* June (date TBC) - candidate nominations close
* July 8 - voting opens
* July 21 - voting closes
* August - results released
* Who can vote? Aboriginal Victorians from age 16 and traditional owners who no longer live in the state
* What will be the makeup? Twenty-one members elected through a vote of Victorian Aboriginal communities, and 12 seats allocated to each formally-recognised traditional owner group.
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