Media Release 2004: AEC Ensures Maranoa Electors Get to Vote

14 October 2004

Australian Electoral Commission checks today confirmed that eleven Queensland (QLD) electors in the Division of Maranoa had received Senate postal ballot papers for New South Wales (NSW) instead of QLD.

Of those eleven, six voted on election day at a polling place and therefore required no further assistance. Correct Senate ballot papers have been provided to the other five electors, all of whom are covered by the special extension of time to vote proclaimed by the Governor General on 8 October 2004.

Further AEC checks indicate the possibility that up to one hundred NSW Senate ballot papers could have been issued to Maranoa electors who had been granted this extension of time.

In order to determine whether any other Maranoa electors are affected, the AEC has telephoned and established contact with more than 300 people.

These calls also found that 232 electors who had intended to vote by post had successfully voted in person on or before election day.

The AEC is framing terms of reference for an independent review of this matter.

Further information:

Anne Bright
Australian Electoral Officer, Queensland
Ph (07) 3834 3440

Brien Hallett
Assistant Commissioner,
Public Awareness, Media and Research
Ph. (02) 6271 4477
Mobile: 0413 274 798