9 November 2007

The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) is reminding thousands of Australian students heading off to Schoolies celebrations to plan ahead how and where they will have their vote in the 2007 Federal Election.

AEC Media Director, Phil Diak said the 205,000 eighteen year olds enrolled for this election included a significant number of Schoolies.

“Students who will be travelling interstate for schoolies and will be away from home on election day, Saturday 24 November are entitled to vote now at any of 429 Early Voting Centres,” Mr Diak said.

 “If you’re interstate on election day and haven’t voted early, you will only be able to vote at a designated interstate voting centre.”

Mr Diak added that if you are celebrating schoolies away from your home but still within your home state or territory, you would be able to cast an absent vote at any polling place in your home state or territory on election day.  

All polling places will be open on election day from 8am to 6pm.

To find the location and operating hours of your nearest early or interstate voting centre or polling places visit the AEC website www.aec.gov.au or call 13 23 26.

Media contacts:
Phil Diak
Director Media and Communication Strategy
Ph. (02) 6271 4415
Mobile: 0413 452 539