Ash Bolt
With Prime Minister Scott Morrison last week calling a federal election for May 21, the Australian Electoral Commission is reminding everyone to ensure they’re enrolled to vote.
All Australians have until 8pm on Monday, April 18 to ensure they are enrolled.
April 18 will also be the cut off for anyone to update their details, including their address, on the electoral roll.
The AEC is also put extra focus on ensuring all eligible Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were enrolled, to continue building on recent Indigenous enrolment growth.
Electoral commissioner Tom Rogers said that time is running out to ensure Indigenous Australians can make their voice heard this federal election.
“The number and percentage of Indigenous Australians on the electoral roll has never been better, but this week is a great opportunity for a significant increase in our estimated indigenous enrolment rate. We are absolutely committed to closing the enrolment gap,” Mr Rogers said.
“We’ve worked hard to achieve what has been year-on-year growth recently that has not only outstripped the broader national enrolment rate but the growth in the population of Indigenous Australians as well.
“The estimated rate of Indigenous enrolment nationally is around 80 per cent, up from 75 per cent five years ago – that’s brilliant but still not as high as anyone wants it to be and time is nearly up for 2022.”
Mr Rogers said while the impact of the continuing pandemic added complexity to running what was already Australia’s largest peacetime logistical exercise, voters could have confidence in the voting options available this election.
“We’ll be operating hundreds of early voting centres and thousands of polling places on election day, and Australians can feel comfortable to vote in-person,” Mr Rogers said.
“While elections are in-person community events and we expect voters to turn out, Australians who need a postal vote can now apply for one.
“The immediate priority for all Australians is to go to the AEC website to check your enrolment and make sure it is up to date by Monday, April 18. If you’re not enrolled, you can’t have your say.”
Details: aec.gov.au.
