PeteY

I suspect not....how do i check for sure.

I am here currently on a prospective spouse visa.

I would rather not to let bullyboy, aka latham, in power.... I shudder to think what will happen.

chocaholic

More or less certain you have to be a citizen. For the local elections, I called the council and they confirmed that. Actually, if you are a citizen it's compulsory to vote, apparently.

Presume you'll get the same info in SA

jayr

Pete, I am a temp and don't get a vote either, but I would go for Latham over Howard so you can be my (non) voting buddy and we can cancel each other out. That way we can at least morally vote, if not actually vote.

ABCDiamond

You are right, you do need to be a Citizen to vote, (and it is then complusory).

But also certain British subjects who arrived in Australia over a 35 year period, dating from 1949 to 1984, are entitled (if they wish) to vote in all Australian elections.

The bottom line for people coming in now is; You can vote when you become Australian

mlbonner

Yep, same in QLD. My boyfriend got a letter the last week for not voting in the elections in Feb (he was in the UK with me). Think it was a $30 fine straight up, or you could contest it but then get struck with a $75 fine if they're not happy with your reason.

Ceri

You can have my compulsory vote if you want, just go to the polling station with a wig and a skirt on . If there were a wombat standing for election, I'd vote that in over Latham, or little Howard.

ABCDiamond

To answer this question:

http://www.aec.gov.au/_content/what/...nt/general.htm

Eligibility

Enrolling and voting in Commonwealth elections and referendums is compulsory if you are:
* 18 years of age or over
* an Australian citizen (or a British subject who was on a Commonwealth of Australia electoral roll on 25 January 1984), and
* you have lived at your current address for at least the last month

Simone

I'm a citizen, and so it's compulsory.
So why the heck do I have to enroll to vote!!!!??? :scared:
I even have to get some other citizen to witness my signature, grrr!


Oh, and btw: Am I a Mrs, Ms or Miss??
I'm married, but I'm going to keep using my maiden name.
I don't know who the Ms is for. Me maybe??


Mmm, and after all that, I don't have a clue to vote for. I'd go for labour, but that latham guy is a bit wierd. Howard is definetly not better though.

:scared:

PeteY

Biggest grin i've produced all day (its been pretty stressful). Thanks

Ceri

Go to your local council office ( or phone them), all communities should have them, some of them tend to have outposts in libraries and ask them (or just ask in you local library, and they will point you in the right direction, and where you can enrol)

Usually you have flyers in your mail box for enrolment months before, sometimes you have "council" doorknockers coming around too. Had a few of these over the years when they came to your door - but I wasn't a citizen then.

When I got my citizenship they actually handed you an enrolment form over with your certificate of citizenship at the ceremony ,which you could fill out there. I didn't - so they sent me two letters telling me to enrol.. they find you each and every way.

Haven't decided if I'm going to actually vote yet, may just vote for One Nation - that will B8gger them up ( make me vote aye!) .. or I may just pay the fine for not going. My hubby has already decided he is not going, and will just pay the fine.

Simone

Yeah, I have that flyer, a month ago. Just lazy, can't be bothered. In Holland you could just vote automatically.
Well, I better fill it in then.

I'm going to have to do some research into who's the best of the 2(or3 or 4 ?) evils

MrsDagboy

Why pay the fine when you can simply go along, get your name crossed off & write whatever you want on the card? If you dont actually care enough to pick a person/party then dont, you can always cast a donkey vote or spoil the ballot paper, but at least that way you wont get a fine.

Im waiting for my letter from last election to show reason why I didnt vote - this time I dont have a reason! Just clean forgot :scared: Last time I was asked to show cause I was in the UK - election was called while I was over there (2000). This election I will be in the UK again - but at least I can do a postal vote or prepoll since i know its coming up.

Ceri

Use the Ms .. it means mind your business you nosey g*ts ( doesn't literally really mean that .., but close enough. I'm just joking) . I always use Ms on any forms. I'm not married though ... shudder at the thought :scared: ( long time de-facto relationship) . Even if I were married to my partner I would still use the Ms with my maiden name.
Miss is for unmarried women who want to tell people they are unmarried. I'm am neither - I don't see why I should have Miss or Mrs, when men are always MR.
Ms is for all women , married or unmarried - Ms explained for you a bit:
http://www.hansard.act.gov.au/hansar...eek07/1948.htm

Trevglas

Another option is if the ballot papers printer (printed by Joe Bloggs Printers or whatever) is on the bottom in small print, write I want HIM for PM

Ceri

I don't like to be told I must go along to the polling stations either lol

I haven't actually decided what I will be doing, if I do go along I will be voting for "The fat arse wombat" . My hubby is the one who is definitely not going to set foot near a polling station.. me I haven't decided yet
Cheers