Groom federal by-election announced

Updated: 9 October 2020

A federal by-election for the electoral division of Groom, in Queensland, will be held on Saturday 28 November 2020.

The Acting Australian Electoral Officer for Queensland, Adrian McCabe, said Groom residents should act now to ensure their enrolment details are up to date by 8pm AEST on 2 November 2020.

“If you live in the federal division of Groom you can enrol, or update or check your enrolment details online, at www.aec.gov.au,” Mr McCabe said.

COVID-19 voting arrangements

Mr McCabe said the health and safety of Groom voters was at the forefront of by-election preparations, and the AEC would have safety measures at this by-election in line with the advice of health authorities.

“People who cast their vote in-person will notice a different voting experience to what they might have encountered in the past, with a number of social distancing and hygiene measures to be implemented,” he said.

Details of COVID-19 voting arrangements will be available.

Plan your vote

Mr McCabe said it was important for voters to plan how they would vote at this federal by-election, according to their personal circumstances, with in-person voting before and on election day and postal voting options available.

If you need to apply for a postal vote go to the Groom by-election page, and voting from overseas will be available via post only.

Details of voting options will be available on the Groom by-election page.

Key by-election dates

The Speaker of the House of Representatives has issued a media release announcing his intention to issue a writ for the by-election, with the following key dates to apply.

Issue of writ Monday 26 October
Postal vote applications open 4pm AEST Thursday 8 October

Close of rolls

8pm AEST Monday 2 November

Close of nominations

12 midday AEST Thursday 5 November

Declaration of nominations

12 midday AEST Friday 6 November

Early voting starts Wednesday 11 November
Postal vote applications close 6pm AEST Wednesday 25 November

By-election day

Saturday 28 November

Return of writ

on or before Wednesday 3 February