2 November 1999

Over 50,000 Australians are expected to cast their vote at 99 overseas voting posts in the weeks leading up to referendum polling day on 6 November.

The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade coordinate the overseas voting campaign to enable eligible Australian voters living, working or holidaying overseas to have their say in the referendum.

Wayne Seymour, AEC Manager of Overseas Voting, said it was just one example of the effort that the AEC goes to ensure every eligible electors has the opportunity to vote in the referendum.

"Not every country offers their citizens the opportunity to vote overseas, but in Australia it is an important and expected part of conducting a federal electoral event," he said.

Australians are able to visit diplomatic and consular missions and vote in person or can vote by post by arranging for ballot papers to be sent to them at their overseas address.

"With the AEC's enhanced Internet web site, Australians overseas can access detailed information on the referendum from wherever they are," Mr Seymour said.

Mr Seymour said that at the 1998 federal election more than 20 000 Australians voted in London.

"This made London not only the busiest overseas voting post but it also took more votes than any single polling place in Australia," he said.

The AEC supplies the 99 overseas voting posts with the material and information required to conduct postal and pre-poll voting. The ballot papers and other materials are sent by secure international express courier.

For electors who will be overseas but not able to visit any of the 99 overseas voting posts, postal voting services are available. Postal vote forms are available from overseas posts and the AEC will post ballot papers to any destination overseas. The completed ballot papers must be in the mail to the AEC before polling day. Under electoral law the AEC must wait up to 13 days after polling day for these votes to be received before it can finalise counting.

Further information

Wayne Seymour
Manager, Overseas Voting
Ph. (02) 6271 4688