30 August 2004

Eligible electors throughout Australia have just over a week to make sure they are correctly enrolled, so that they can vote on election day, Saturday, 9 October 2004 .

The Electoral Commissioner, Mr Andy Becker said "If you're an Australian Citizen, aged 18 years or older then you're eligible to enrol and vote in federal elections. In fact it is compulsory for you to do so."

"If you're enrolling for the first time or have changed your address since you enrolled - simply fill out a new enrolment form and return it to the Australian Electoral Commission no later than 8pm on Tuesday 7 September".

Enrolment forms, which can be printed from the AEC website at www.aec.gov.au, are available also from Post Offices and AEC offices. If time permits electors can have a form posted to them by phoning the AEC on 13 23 26.

"In any event, please make sure your completed enrolment form is with the AEC by 8pm 7 September, as only those correctly enrolled by the time rolls close, will be able to vote on election day," Mr Becker said.

Mr Becker said that if anyone was unsure about whether they were enrolled correctly they could now check their enrolment details on the AEC website at www.aec.gov.au and clicking on the box in the top right hand corner of the home page.

This service introduced in July 2004, allows electors to check their current enrolment by typing in a few personal details.

On the 30 July 2004 there were 12 979 456 people on the Commonwealth electoral roll and the number is expected to exceed 13 Million for these elections.

"Following the announcement of the 2001 federal election, 83,027 new enrolments were received by the AEC, and once again we are ready to process fully, those numbers and more," he said.

Further information:

Brien Hallett
Assistant Commissioner
Public Awareness, Media and Research
Ph. (02) 6271 4477
Mobile : 0413 274 798

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