Australians overseas advised to vote now in 2007 federal election
Thousands of eligible Australians living, working or holidaying overseas have the opportunity to cast a vote before election day, Saturday 24 November for the 2007 federal election.
Australian Electoral Commissioner, Ian Campbell said that Australians overseas had already begun voting, and urged other enrolled Australians overseas who wanted to vote, to act now.
“Enrolled Australians may vote overseas in person at over 100 Australian diplomatic missions providing voting services, or they can vote by post by applying to any of the missions for ballot papers to be sent to their overseas address,” he said.
“To vote by post you must allow sufficient time for your application to be received by the mission, for the ballot papers to be sent to you and for your completed vote to be back in the mail before 24 November.”
The AEC website at www.aec.gov.au has information on and links to the location and voting arrangements at Australian diplomatic missions, and you can print a postal vote application. Within Australia you can also get information by calling the AEC on 13 23 26.
“Any Australian elector who is about to go overseas should consider voting before they leave at one of over 400 early voting centres, or at voting facilities available at selected Australian international airports. Visit the AEC website at www.aec.gov.au for operating details of all early voting centres.
“The overseas voting arrangements are part of the AEC’s effort to ensure that every eligible elector has the opportunity to vote in the 2007 election,” Mr Campbell said.
At the 2004 federal election, nearly 70,000 votes were issued overseas from Australian diplomatic missions providing voting services. Australia’s largest polling place is at Australia House in London with over 20,000 votes issued at the last federal election.
See the complete list of votes issued at overseas posts at the 2004 federal election at http://results.aec.gov.au/12246/appendixb.htm
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