AUSTRALIAN expatriates living in the UK are encouraged check their electoral enrolment status and to register as overseas voters ahead of this year’s federal election.
Kevin Rudd could announce the date of the election any day now so time is running out to register.
How to vote in the next federal election:
- Check your enrolment at https://oevf.aec.gov.au/
- If you are NOT enrolled to vote and are already overseas use this form
- If you ARE enrolled to vote and plan to return to Australia in the next 6 years you can register to vote as an overseas elector. Do so by filling in this form
- If you wish to have your name removed from the electoral roll indefinitely complete this form
- Vote at Australia House in London (polling stations are usually open for two weeks before the election) or by postal vote (there is an option to elect to postal vote on the overseas elector form, or submit a separate postal vote application to the AEC)
There are 400,000 Australians living in the UK and those extra votes could be the difference between candidates winning and losing marginal seats.
Australia House in London was the largest polling station at the last federal election with over 16,000 voters.
Despite their being no official election date, the unofficial election race has been gaining momentum since the start of the year.
Australia also faces the possibility of having three prime ministers in the space of a single year after Kevin Rudd defeated Julia Gillard for the leadership in June.
The most likely election dates are 31 August, 14 September, and 21 September, avoiding a parliamentary recall and the AFL grand final.
Kevin Rudd has until Monday to call a 31 August election.
For more information see the Australian Electoral Commission website.
[ Source: Australian Times ]