AUSTRALIAN ELECTORAL COMMISSION FACT SHEET
1.4m missing voters
There are currently 1.4 million Australians missing from the electoral roll, more than ever before, and
arguably enough to change the outcome of an election.
State
Estimated missing voters
State/Territory (rounded)
NSW
Around 440,000
VIC
Around 325,000
QLD
Around 390,000
WA
Around 160,000
SA
Around 80,000
TAS
Around 13,000
ACT
Around 15,000
NT
Around 35,000
National
Approx. 1.4 million
18 to 39 year olds are the biggest missing group
The 18 to 39 year age group makes up about 70 percent of the missing 1.4m.
Age group
Percentage missing
18
44.52%
19
30.85%
20-24
16.79%
25-29
14.19%
30-34
12.39%
35-39
10.77%
17 year olds: about four in every five (82.4%) are not enrolled. While 17 year olds can’t yet vote, they can
enrol now and be ready to vote as soon as they turn 18.
Getting our enrolment in order now removes the risk for all voters that you’ll leave it too late and miss out
when an election is called. Over 100,000 people tried too late to enrol at the 2007 federal election and
missed out on their vote!
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Why Famous People Vote Too?
Famous People Vote Too is part of a greater effort to raise public awareness of the enrolment issue and
target the 1.4m missing, in particular younger Australians in the 18 – 39 age cohort. In other words, Famous
People Vote Too is really about helping everybody to be on the roll and ready to have their say at the next
federal election.
Famous People Vote Too is based on the proposition that all Australians, including celebrities, get to enrol
and vote alike, and have their say. Democracy is a great leveller.
The Famous People Vote Too promotion features an entertaining website showing celebrity and community
video clips and photos. There’s a great competition to upload your own photo or video and be eligible to win
a weekly prize. And of course there are some serious messages about enrolling to vote, with links to how you
can check your roll status, complete an enrolment form, or get more help. See the website for details
www.famouspeoplevotetoo.com
The AEC will be continuing to do a range of other things to encourage people to be on the roll and up to date
including targeted letters to 3 million Australians by 30 June. The AEC is also piloting new follow-up methods
like SMS’ing people who don’t respond. But at the end of the day it is up to you to take control of your
future and make sure enrolment in order so you don’t miss out come election time.
Research
The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) recently commissioned independent market research to conduct
a study into attitudes about enrolment among 18 to39 year olds.
Some key findings include:
-
Many did not know there was an election this year.
There was a correlation with life-stages – as people get older and are felt to have more
responsibility, the implications of policy outcomes have a greater personal impact and voting is
seen as becoming more relevant. In short, young people don’t believe which political party is in
power has the potential to affect their personal life.
Reasons Australians had for dropping off the roll include:
-
Moved and hadn’t ‘gotten around’ to re-enrolling for their new address, and/or
No strong understanding that updating details on the electoral roll is required when moving
house
Viewing politicians as all the same
Negative political campaigning a turn-off.
For most of those interviewed, the reason for not updating their details/enrolling has been one of
awareness, no avoidance.
Enrolling and voting are compulsory under Australian electoral laws.
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