Media Release 2007: Make sure your vote counts in the 2007 election

19 November 2007

Every Australian elector has a vote in the 2007 election, but it only counts if they fill in their ballot papers correctly, the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) advised electors today.

Electoral Commissioner, Ian Campbell, said electors were voting in both a House of Representatives election and a Senate election on election day, Saturday 24 November.

"Electors will be given two ballot papers at the polling place, and I urge you to pay careful attention when filling them out. If you do make a mistake, please ask a polling official for another ballot paper," Mr Campbell said.

On the House of Representatives' green ballot paper, electors must number all the boxes in the order of their choice of candidate. No ticks or crosses should be used, no numbers repeated and no squares left blank.

The white Senate ballot paper gives electors a choice of marking 1 in one box above the line for a party or group, or numbering all the boxes below the line for each candidate in the order of their choice.

Mr Campbell said the AEC had a number of initiatives in place at the 2007 election to increase voter awareness of how to vote correctly.

"At this election we have a new online 'How to vote practice tool' at www.aec.gov.au to guide electors, especially those voting for the first time, on how to complete their ballot papers correctly."

Polling officials are available to assist electors, along with information on how to vote in 21 languages, at every polling place.

Mr Campbell said that the AEC was also running a national how to vote advertising campaign on television, radio and in newspapers to encourage electors to take care when voting.

Electors can find out where to vote locally with the polling place locator at www.aec.gov.au or by calling 13 23 26. The list of polling places with disabled access is also available at www.aec.gov.au or by calling 13 23 26.

For more information about voting in the 2007 federal election, visit the AEC website at www.aec.gov.au or call the AEC on 13 23 26.

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