You would think that if you were running for parliament you could be guaranteed at least one vote your own. But as the February Peel by-election demonstrated that is not always the case.
In the by-election, out of eight candidates, only the Christian Democrat candidate was entitled to vote in the election. If those with a vested interest in voting can’t get a vote then what hope is there for the rest of us?
Not much if we move house or turn 18 between elections, as last year the Federal Government amended the Electoral Act, implementing changes which will disenfranchise many voters, particularly young people and those who don’t own their home.
While the majority of voters only think about enrolling and updating details with the electoral commission once an election has been called, now that’ll be too late. Voters used to have seven days after the election was called to check they were enrolled correctly, the changes mean the role will now close the day after the announcement. Many voters will therefore be ineligible to vote in this year’s upcoming Federal election.
On face value this change may not seem important, but with most marginal seats held by less than three thousand votes, these changes could decide the election. In my electorate, Swan – Vic Park and surrounds, the margin is only a handful of votes literally this will be a deciding factor come the federal election this year.
