Postal voting

If you are unable to get to a polling place on Saturday 13 April for the 2024 Cook by-election, you are eligible to apply to vote by post.

Submitting your ballot papers

Ballot papers must be completed and witnessed on or before by-election day and posted back to the AEC as soon as possible.

You have only 13 days after the by-election for your ballot papers to be received by the AEC.

Additional information on how to return your postal vote to the AEC either within Australia or from overseas.

In accordance with s.193 of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918, an authorised witness for postal voting may be:

  • An elector whose name appears on the Electoral Roll
  • Outside Australia, the following persons are authorised witnesses:
    • an officer of the Defence Force or of the naval, military or air forces of a Commonwealth country,
    • a person appointed or engaged under the Public Service Act 1999,
    • a member of the civil or public service of a State or Territory or of a Commonwealth country,
    • a Justice of the Peace for a State or Territory or a Commonwealth country,
    • a minister of religion or medical practitioner resident in a State or Territory or a Commonwealth country,
    • an Australian citizen.

A person who is a candidate for the 2024 Cook by-election cannot be an authorised witness.

If you are a registered general postal voter, you will automatically receive a postal vote pack in the mail.

If you are registered as a silent elector, and you are not a general postal voter, you can complete a postal vote application or vote in person at an early voting centre or on by-election day.

If you are outside Australia, other acceptable witnesses include:

  • an officer of the Defence Force or of the naval, military or air forces of a Commonwealth country,
  • a person appointed or engaged under the Public Service Act 1999,
  • a member of the civil or public service of a State or Territory or of a Commonwealth country,
  • a Justice of the Peace for a State or Territory or a Commonwealth country,
  • a minister of religion or medical practitioner resident in a State or Territory or a Commonwealth country,
  • an Australian citizen

If you are overseas and unable to find a witness, please follow the instructions outlined in your 'How to complete your overseas postal vote' pamphlet.

You can upload your supporting documentation at aec.gov.au/pvc.

Updated: 12 March 2024