Media Release 1998: Electoral Rolls Close Tomorrow

6 September 1998

Too late to mail your enrolment card

Australian voters only have until tomorrow at 8pm to make sure that they are correctly enrolled to vote in the 1998 federal election.

The Electoral Commissioner, Mr Bill Gray, said today that Electoral Commission staff around Australia are reporting signs of a last minute rush from people wanting to enrol, or to update their enrolment details.

"The number of enrolment enquiries is increasing each day," Mr Gray said, "as is the number of enrolment cards reaching our divisional offices."

Mr Gray urged those not yet enrolled, and those needing to update their enrolment details, to move quickly.

"It may be too late now to post your enrolment card as it must be received by the Electoral Commission by 8pm tomorrow {or today}," Mr Gray said.

"To ensure your card is received in time, you should take it to, or fax it to your nearest AEC office."

Mr Gray said that it was important that enrolment cards were received before the cut-off so that all eligible electors are able to have their say.

"At each election there are a number of people whose cards are received too late. Unfortunately these people, if they are new enrollees, miss out on the right to vote. Or if they are changes of address, they can only vote for their old address, which they may have left quite some time ago."

Enrolling and voting are compulsory in Australia's federal elections for all Australian citizens aged 18 years or older.

Enrolment forms are available from Post Offices, Australian Electoral Commission offices, or they can be printed from the AEC's homepage at www.aec.gov.au.

Further information:
Brien Hallett
Director Information
Ph. 902) 6271 4415

Bernadette O'Meara
Assistant Director Information
Ph. (02) 6271 4548