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Australian Electoral Commission
Editor’s notes:
The Australian Electoral Commission will send SMS and email messages to almost 400,000 Australians tomorrow to remind them to enrol to vote.
With the NSW State Election coming up in March and the intended federal referendum sometime in late 2023, the AEC is planning ahead.
This activity is one of many designed to increase the already remarkable national enrolment rate of 97.1 per cent (98.3 per cent in NSW).
While the AEC does not conduct the NSW State Election, the NSW Electoral Commission does use the national electoral roll, and this is a great reminder activity ahead of March.
The AEC is reassuring those who receive an email or SMS prompting them to enrol that this communication is legitimate, and uses data obtained from other government agencies. Anyone concerned about the legitimacy of a message they receive is encouraged to visit the AEC website for more information.
This isn’t the first time the AEC has sent enrolment reminders via email and SMS. Since 2016, the AEC has sent millions of similar messages that have contributed to Australia having such a complete electoral roll.
“The AEC is sending approximately 400,000 potentially unenrolled Australian’s email and SMS messages letting them know that enrolling to vote is required by law”
“We’ve worked incredibly hard to get the electoral roll to 97% complete, and it truly is a modern democratic miracle, but we want it even higher.”
“It’s been nearly a quarter of a century since Australians have been able to have their say on an issue at a Referendum. You can’t vote if you’re not enrolled.”
“Of the approximately 400,000 people receiving the enrolment reminder, it’s estimated that 65,000 identify as Indigenous and more than 85,000 are aged 18-24”
“It’s no secret there is a referendum coming up and NSW will be heading to the polls in March, therefore now is a great time to make sure that you are enrolled to vote”
“We understand that Australian’s may be wary of scam emails and text messages, however we are reassuring those who receive communication from the AEC that is it legitimate and to enrol to vote via the AEC website – aec.gov.au”
“Many people say 100 per cent enrolment is a fanciful dream. They’re probably right but we’ll keep striving to increase the number of people on the roll as much as we can by identifying people who are eligible to enrol and either enrolling them directly or communicating with them about their electoral rights and responsibilities.”
The AEC acknowledges the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognises their continuing connection to land, waters, culture and community. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.