Elections ACT Factsheet – Enrolment

What does enrolment in the ACT mean?

If you are enrolled, you can vote in elections and referendums for the ACT Legislative Assembly and for the Federal Parliament. If you are 18 or over, and an Australian citizen, you must enrol to vote. Once you are enrolled, your name and address appears on the electoral roll.

Why is it compulsory to enrol?

In Australia, the law says that if you are entitled to be enrolled, then you must enrol. This is because we believe that with the right to enrol and vote, comes the responsibility to contribute to the way the ACT and the country is run. The most important way to contribute is through voting and you cannot vote unless you are enrolled.

How many people are enrolled in the ACT?

At the close of rolls for the 2004 election there were 226,098 people enrolled in the ACT. This included 65,279 for the electorate of Brindabella, 65,271 for the electorate of Ginninderra and 95,548 for the electorate of Molonglo.

How do people enrol?

By completing an enrolment form that can be obtained from any post office or from any State/Territory or Federal electoral authority. You can download a form from the Australian Electoral Commission's website. If you change your name or address, you need to change your enrolment. You can fill in an enrolment form when you are 17 years old.

Can I see the electoral roll?

Yes you can, at any electoral office, but you can only see people's names and addresses. The other information kept on the roll is private. If a person doesn't want their address kept on the public roll, because they believe that would place their personal safety, or members of their family, at risk, they can ask to have it suppressed. You can also check your enrolment on the internet at www.aec.gov.au