Voting – new law

Date created: 29 November 2007

1. Enrol to vote

Law applies from: 16 April 2007

Recent changes to law make it more difficult to enrol to vote – you need proof of identity and you must be quick!

Electoral roll deadlines

In most cases, electoral rolls will close at 8 pm on the night that election writs are issued. If you miss this deadline you will not be able to vote in that election.

If you have moved house

You may be taken off the electoral roll if you move without updating your details. If you have been taken off the roll you will have to re-enrol by the same 8 pm deadline to vote in that election.

Proof of identity

You now have to prove your identity when you enrol to vote. If you don’t have an Australian driver’s licence, there are extra steps you will need to take. See the enrolment forms for details.

2. Voting from prison

Law applies from: 30 August 2007

The High Court has overturned laws that took away prisoners' right to vote.
Prisoners can now vote unless they are serving sentences of three years or more.