this post was submitted on 01 Oct 2023
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[–] bull@aussie.zone 4 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (3 children)

An interesting situation: back in 2017 I went overseas with the intention of staying there (I'm a UK dual-citizen) and when I did, I unenrolled from the Australian Electoral Commission using their "unenroll me, I'm permanently leaving" form.

Later that year I came back deciding that I didn't want to do that, but I never re-enrolled and subsequently haven't voted in any election since without any sort of consequence and honestly, for me I kind of like this situation. I can't find any information anywhere about a penalty for doing this, only information about if you've never enrolled before. The penalty for not voting is for just that, enrolled citizens not voting. Not for being unenrolled.

Anybody know anyone else in a similar boat?

[–] AWStephen@mastodon.au 7 points 1 year ago

@bull @bot001 I understand your obligation under S245 of The Electoral Act is to VOTE ( by implication therefore you must enroll if eligible AND vote). But the enforcement is light and the fine small. Try starting here: https://aec.gov.au/About_AEC/Publications/voting/index.htm

[–] SituationCake@aussie.zone 6 points 1 year ago

Why not re-enroll to vote though? It’s a privilege a lot of people don’t have.

[–] Seagoon_@aussie.zone 4 points 1 year ago

yeah, I was like that for a while after I came back to Australia

I never had any problem.