You’ve probably seen the headlines about the Australian Marriage Law Postal Survey, but now is the time to act and make sure your voice counts.
The survey is designed to collect statistical information about whether Australians believe same-sex couples should be allowed to marry. It’s being run by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, but you need to be enrolled and have your correct details on the electoral roll to have a say.
President of the Student Senate, Jayden Bonk, is encouraging students to make sure you’re correctly enrolled.
“It’s important for young people to start taking an interest in political issues because we are a powerful political voice,” he said. “This is our future that is being shaped by the decisions of today, so we need to be involved.”
Jayden said every vote counted on important issues.
“One person’s vote can be the deciding factor on whether a law, bill or decision gets passed in parliament,” he said.
All Australians eligible to vote need to be correctly enrolled by Thursday 24 August to receive the postal survey documentation. If you’ve recently turned 18 or weren’t enrolled last time Australia went to the polls, now’s the time to make sure you’re enrolled.
How to enrol
It’s quick and easy to enrol online!
Complete the online form on the Australian Electoral Commission website to provide your name, address and contact information, and evidence of your identity. You can prove your identity using a driver’s licence, passport or get confirmation of your identity from someone else on the electoral roll.
You’re eligible to enrol to vote if you:
- an Australian citizen or eligible British subject
- 18 years or older
- have lived at your current address for at least a month.
Update your details
If you’ve voted before, but have changed address (for example, moving away from home to come to uni), you might need to update your details. You can do this online as well, using the same online form as a new enrolment.
Not sure?
If you’re not sure whether you’re enrolled, take two minutes now to check! Again, you can do this online. You’ll also be able to check all your enrolment details so you can update your address or other info, if you need to.
