THE Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) is asking all Australians to enrol for the federal election this year, urging new citizens to make sure they are registered to vote.
AEC divisional office manager Kim Nichols said a federal election must be held in 2013, so now is the time for all eligible voters in this area to make sure they are enrolled to vote or, if they have recently moved, to check that their address on the roll is up-to-date.
“Some people missed out on their vote at previous federal elections because they were not enrolled, or didn’t check, until it was too late.
“By enrolling or updating your address now, you will be ready to vote whenever the election is called,” she said. “It’s a simple process to enrol to vote, and you are then enrolled for local, state and federal elections.”
To enrol to vote, go online to www. aec.gov.au/enrol, complete an enrolment form, print and sign it and return it to the AEC.
To update your address on the electoral roll, complete an enrolment form online at www.aec.gov.au/enrol/change-address
To check if you’re enrolled to vote, visit www.aec.gov.au/check or call the AEC on 13 23 26.
The AEC website has contact details for people wishing to speak to someone in another language.
Ms Nichols said it was compulsory for all Australian citizens 18 years and over to enrol to vote and you must be enrolled for your current address to vote in the federal election.
Federal provisional enrolment is also available to 16 and 17-year-olds in preparation to vote at 18.