1. Voter Registration: All Australian citizens aged 18 years and over must register to vote. Voter registration is automatic for those who have dealt with certain government agencies, such as the Australian Tax Office or the Department of Human Services. However, individuals can also register voluntarily through the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) website or by filling out and submitting a paper form.
2. Electoral Roll: Once registered, voters are added to the electoral roll. The electoral roll is a list of all eligible voters in Australia. It is used to determine the boundaries of electoral divisions and to create the electoral roll used in elections.
3. Election Day: Elections in Australia are held on Saturdays. Polling places open at 8:00 am and close at 6:00 pm local time. Voters can vote at any polling place within their electorate, regardless of their address.
4. Voting: When voters arrive at the polling place, they must present their identity document, such as a driver's license or passport, and their voter registration card. They will be given a ballot paper and a privacy screen. The ballot paper contains the names of the candidates or parties contesting the election. Voters must mark their preferred candidate or party on the ballot paper in the designated space.
5. Preferential Voting: Australia uses a preferential voting system, also known as the Alternative Vote (AV) system. Under this system, voters can rank candidates in order of preference by numbering the candidate boxes on the ballot paper. If no candidate receives a majority of first preference votes, the candidate with the lowest number of first preferences is eliminated, and their second preference votes are distributed to the remaining candidates. This process continues until one candidate reaches a majority.
6. Counting of Votes: After polling closes, the votes are counted at each polling place. The counting process is conducted by authorised election officials and scrutineers appointed by the AEC. The results from each polling place are then sent to the AEC for the official count and declaration of the elected candidate.
7. Declaration of Results: The official results of the election are declared by the AEC usually within a few days after the election. The winning candidate or party is announced, and the successful candidates take office.
It is important to note that the specific procedures and requirements may vary slightly between federal and state elections. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, it is recommended to refer to the Australian Electoral Commission's website or contact your local electoral office.
