13 May 2008

The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) today reminded everyone who is eligible to vote in the Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA) elections on this Saturday, 17 May 2008, to make sure they make their vote count.

“If you are a Torres Strait Islander or Aboriginal person, aged 18 years or over and currently enrolled in the Port Kennedy, Horn/Prince of Wales Islands or TRAWQ Wards you can vote for your representative on the TSRA,” says Mr Tony Anderson, the AEC’s Returning Officer for the TSRA elections.

Each of the three wards will elect one member to the TSRA.

The representative for the TRAWQ Ward will now be directly elected on Saturday in the same way as the representatives for the Port Kennedy and Horn/Prince of Wales Island Wards.

“This means that if you are a Torres Strait Islander or Aboriginal person, over 18 and currently enrolled in the TRAWQ area, you will be able to vote in this election, even if you have not been able to vote for your TSRA representative before,” Mr Anderson says.

Mr Anderson advises voters that their vote will only count if they fill in their ballot paper correctly. To make sure your vote counts, you must put a ‘1’ in the box beside the candidate who is your first choice.

If you wish, you may place a ‘2’ in the box beside your second choice, a ‘3’ in the box beside your third choice and so on until there is a number in every box.

Use numbers only. Don’t use ticks or crosses or use any number twice.

“I urge you to pay careful attention when you vote and ask for help if you need it. If you do make a mistake, don’t worry, just ask a polling official for another ballot paper and start again,” Mr Anderson says.

For a how to vote fact sheet, information on where to vote on election day, Saturday 17 May, or for early voting options follow the TSRA elections link on the AEC website www.aec.gov or call 07 4051 7188. 

Media contact:
Tony Anderson
TSRA Returning Officer
Ph: 07 4051 7188