If you are an Australian resident and fail to vote, you are hit with a fine, and forced to provide a reason for your failure to vote.
Voting at State general elections, by-elections and referenda is compulsory.
Section 156 of the Electoral Act (link is external)clearly establishes that it is every elector's duty to vote at any election for the region or district for which they are enrolled.
If you did not vote at the 2013 State election you may receive a notice in the mail seeking an explanation of your apparent failure to vote. Please complete the back of the form and return it in the envelope provided.
Electors who fail to vote at a State election and do not provide a valid and sufficient reason for such failure, will be fined.
The penalty for first time offenders is $20, and this increases to $50 if you have previously paid a penalty or been convicted of this offence. If you do not have a valid excuse, you can pay the penalty and that will end the matter.
Electors who do not respond to notices or do not pay the prescribed penalty may have the matter referred to the Fines Enforcement Registry and could lose their driver's licence.
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