Failing to vote while overseas

[trentusjuventus]

Just thought I would add my experience. Have been abroad for 6ish years now, first federal election after I left Australia I tried to vote via absentee vote through the Australian representative office in Taipei (no embassy here of course) as I couldn't get there in person. For this I needed a witness who was also an Australian citizen, however mine didn't fill in the form properly and my vote form was returned. Not wanting any more trouble I simply applied though the same office to have myself removed from the electoral role which has actually not been a bad thing as I don't have to worry about missing federal/state/local elections, and can also re-enroll upon my return. Unless you have a dire need to vote I would recommend removal while you are away (also prevents things like calls for jury duty as I understand).

 

[IrishPete]

I suspect that in those circumstances you actually have to provide an overseas address Going overseas - Australian Electoral Commission - it sounded like the original poster is getting mail forwarded. But given their later comments about the lack of a postal service in Colombia, I could be wrong.

Pete

 

[kyle]

My mum is in the exact same situation. I have now written back saying she was absent during the whole postal vote period

Just an update. The electoral commission has written back saying the penalty notice has been withdrawn. BTW, I also included a copy of her travel records when I asked for a review of the penalty.

 

[robd]

Just an update. The electoral commission has written back saying the penalty notice has been withdrawn. BTW, I also included a copy of her travel records when I asked for a review of the penalty.

That's good news. Was the penalty for a local council election?

 

[kyle]

That's good news. Was the penalty for a local council election?

Yes, local council election by postal vote.

 

[robd]

Yes, local council election by postal vote.

Ok. I'll have to give it a go and include all the relevant doc's.

 

[OATEK]

Just let the AEC know that you are overseas, under the legislation no notice should be sent to those overseas on polling day:

The DRO is not required to send or deliver a penalty notice if he or she is satisfied that the elector: (a) is dead; or
(b) was absent from Australia on polling day; or

COMMONWEALTH ELECTORAL ACT 1918 - SECT 245 Compulsory voting

This is good to know as I will be in Paris waiting to get on an overnight train to Berlin when the Federal election occurs in September, and don't want to spend my last day there queuing at the embassy to vote!

 

[robd]

Just an update. The electoral commission has written back saying the penalty notice has been withdrawn. BTW, I also included a copy of her travel records when I asked for a review of the penalty.

Just updating my experience.

Jnr#1 was overseas from August to December 2012. The local council election was held late October 2012 by postal vote only. Jnr#1 was issued a failure to vote fine of $70 and she responded explaining that she was away during the voting period, but the reason was deemed invalid. She was allowed to request a review by a certain date, which passed. She was then sent another notice to pay with additional fees of $27, bringing the total payable to $97. The new notice also allowed for a request for a review by either her, or by someone on her behalf. I responded on her behalf citing, as she did in the original "please explain letter why you did not vote letter", that she was overseas through the entire voting period, having obtained the appropriate visas and registering with DFAT noting the departure details from Australia and addresses and dates of her travel.

Today, she received advice that the penalty notice had been withdrawn, which was great news.

 

[drron]

Maybe the answer is to change electoral laws to formally include an "Opt out" or "Don't care" or "No-one" box. If that's greater than 30% then back to the polls, try harder .....

Doesn't stop people voting that way.Have seen all those as well as things like"why isn't mickey mouse on the paper","my mother told me never to vote for a clown".Most though are much ruder.

 

[Pollywaffle]

Just updating my experience.

Jnr#1 was overseas from August to December 2012. The local council election was held late October 2012 by postal vote only. Jnr#1 was issued a failure to vote fine of $70 and she responded explaining that she was away during the voting period, but the reason was deemed invalid. She was allowed to request a review by a certain date, which passed. She was then sent another notice to pay with additional fees of $27, bringing the total payable to $97. The new notice also allowed for a request for a review by either her, or by someone on her behalf. I responded on her behalf citing, as she did in the original "please explain letter why you did not vote letter", that she was overseas through the entire voting period, having obtained the appropriate visas and registering with DFAT noting the departure details from Australia and addresses and dates of her travel.

Today, she received advice that the penalty notice had been withdrawn, which was great news.

I was away for the local elections and got a penalty notice. I just told them I was away and was not required to pay. I also know 3 other people who were away and had no issues either.

It seems bizarre that your experience was so different to ours.

 

[robd]

I was away for the local elections and got a penalty notice. I just told them I was away and was not required to pay. I also know 3 other people who were away and had no issues either.

It seems bizarre that your experience was so different to ours.

Someone must have gotten out on the wrong side of the bed that day. PITA :evil:

 

[NTflyer]

I was Tanzania during the 2010 federal election and did not vote. Never received anything about why I didn't vote. I do live in the NT so the electoral commission probably could not be bothered chasing it up. Half the people in the NT either are not correctly enrolled or simply do not vote.