Media Release 2008: Make sure your vote counts in the Lyne by-election

2 September 2008

The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) is reminding Lyne electors to number every box on the ballot paper when they vote in the Lyne by-election on Saturday 6 September 2008.

The Divisional Returning Officer for Lyne, Ms Vicki Holman, said Lyne electors will be able to vote from 8am until 6pm at any one of the 67 polling places in the Lyne electorate on election day.

"Electors will be given one green ballot paper at the polling place, and I urge you to pay careful attention when filling it out," Ms Holman said.

When filling in the ballot paper, electors must number the boxes from 1 to 8 in the order of their choice of candidate. No ticks or crosses should be used, no numbers repeated and no boxes left blank.

"Polling officials are available at every polling place to assist electors and if you do make a mistake just ask a polling official for another ballot paper," she said.

Ms Holman said electors may choose to follow a party or a candidate's how-to-vote card, but it is the elector who decides the order they rank all the candidates on their ballot paper.

Electors, especially those voting for the first time, can visit the online 'How to vote practice tool' at www.aec.gov.au to practice how to complete the ballot paper correctly before election day.

A full list of polling places in the Lyne electorate has been advertised in local newspapers this week. The list of polling places with full or assisted disabled access is available at www.aec.gov.au or by calling 13 23 26.

There will be no voting facilities open outside the Lyne electorate on election day*. Over 57 000 copies of the AEC's official by-election guide have been delivered to households in the Lyne electorate.

"The guide contains practical information on how to correctly fill out the ballot paper, as well as details on where to vote on election day," said Ms Holman.

Voting is compulsory for all Australian citizens aged 18 years and over enrolled in the electorate of Lyne.

For more information on the Lyne by-election visit www.aec.gov.au or call 13 23 26.

Contact:
Peita Mamo,
Manager Public Awareness
P: 02 9375 6313
M: 0412 269 720

*One exception applies: voting on election day will be available at the AEC divisional office for the electorate of Mayo (SA), due to the fact that a by-election will occur there on the same day.