22 January 2010
All Tasmanians encouraged to enrol to vote
on Australia Day 2010
As thousands of the newest citizens enrol to vote this Australia Day, the Australian
Electoral Commission (AEC) is urging all Australian citizens to make sure they are
enrolled to vote, as a federal election is likely to be held sometime this year.
Acting State Manager, Peter Weldon, said enrolling to vote was an important part of fully
participating in Australian life and it was a concern that over 1.3 million eligible Australians,
including around 16,000 Tasmanians are currently not enrolled.
“A federal election could be held sometime in 2010, and a state election is also due soon,
so this Australia Day is an opportune time for all eligible Australians to make sure they are
enrolled to vote or, if they have recently moved, to check that their enrolment address is
up-to-date,” Mr Weldon said.
“Some Australians have missed out on their vote at previous federal elections because
they were not enrolled, but by simply completing an enrolment form you are registered to
vote in all of the upcoming elections”.
Mr Weldon said AEC staff would be on hand at many citizenship ceremonies across the
state to assist our newest citizens to immediately take up their democratic right of enrolling
to vote, and that he looked forward to these new citizens joining the new Australians who
have enrolled at Australian Day citizenship ceremonies over previous years.
To enrol to vote or update your enrolment simply complete and return an enrolment form,
which is available on the AEC website at www.aec.gov.au, or pick up a form at any AEC
office, Australia Post outlet, or at any Medicare, Centrelink, or Australian Tax Office.
It’s compulsory for all Australian citizens aged 18 years and older to enrol to vote, and you
must be enrolled before you can vote in Australian elections.
The AEC website also has enrolment information translated into 26 languages and contact
details for the telephone interpreter service.
To check your enrolment or find out more information visit the AEC website at
Media enquiries:
Peter Weldon
Ph: 03 6235 0501 Mob: 0409 339 582
NEWS 
