Media Release 2009: Today is the deadline to enrol to vote in the Higgins by-election

30 October 2009

Anyone living in the Higgins electorate who is not enrolled has until 8pm tonight to enrol to vote in the upcoming federal by-election.

The AEC Divisional Returning Officer for Higgins, Mark Strong, said that any Australian citizen aged 18 years and over who is not currently enrolled must complete an enrolment form and return it to the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) by 8pm tonight (30 October 2009).

Enrolment forms can be downloaded from our website and are also available at any AEC office or Australia Post outlet as well as at any Medicare, Centrelink, or Australian Tax Office.

"It is now too late to post back your enrolment form but people have the choice to take it to the Higgins AEC office at 1343 Malvern Road, Malvern VIC 3144; fax it to (03) 9822 8001; or scan and email it to: higgins@aec.gov.au.

"You can also take your enrolment form to any AEC office, with the contact details of other AEC offices available on our website or by calling 13 23 26.

"I urge every eligible elector who may not be enrolled, especially anyone who turned 18 after the federal election in 2007, to check they are correctly enrolled. Anyone who has recently moved address should check their enrolment details are up-to-date by using our Enrolment Verification Facility or by calling 13 23 26," Mr Strong said.

"If you're already on the roll and just need to update your details, you have until 8pm on Monday, 9 November to complete an enrolment form and return it to the AEC."

Election day for the electorate of Higgins House of Representatives by-election is Saturday, 5 December. It is compulsory for all electors enrolled in the electorate of Higgins to vote in the Higgins by-election, including electors aged over 70 years. This differs from Local Government elections in Victoria where voting is not compulsory for people over 70.

For more information on enrolment or the by-election visit our website or call the AEC on 13 23 26.

Media contacts

Steve Kennedy
Director Operations, Victorian State Office
Australian Electoral Commission
03 9285 7105
0413 271 211