FAQ' s

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to enrol?
Who is eligible to enrol for Queensland State and local government elections?
Who is not eligible to enrol for Queensland State and local government elections?
I am not an Australian Citizen, can I still enrol?
How do I enrol?
I have changed address. Do I need to complete an Enrolment Form?
How do I find out where I am currently enrolled?
Who has access to the electoral roll?
Can I vote if I am not enrolled?
If I am in prison can I still enrol and vote?
Can I sign for someone else if I have Power of Attorney?
My friend/relative has passed away. What can I do to have them taken off the electoral roll?
If I complete an enrolment form am I also on the Federal Roll?
My friend/relative cannot sign their name. How can they enrol?
I am going overseas for an extended period of time. How do I maintain my enrolment?
Do older electors have to enrol and vote?
How can I view the electoral roll?
When is the next election?
What is a “writ”?
What is the “close of rolls”?
How do I know when an election is being held?
How can I apply to work on polling day?
Who can nominate as a candidate?
When can I nominate to stand as a candidate?
How can I nominate?
What is a scrutineer?
What is a “how to vote” card?
Are there any restrictions on the distribution of “how to vote” cards?
Why are pencils used instead of pens?
What voting system is used in Queensland?
Can I use ticks and/or crosses when voting?
Who can vote?
How do I vote?
Do I have to vote?
What happens if I don’t vote?
How do I know where I can vote?
Can I vote more than once?
Do I have to vote if I’m interstate or overseas on Polling Day?
My friend/relative needs assistance when voting. Am I able to assist them?
Because of my religious beliefs I do not vote. Will I still be fined?
I have recently changed address but I haven’t updated my details. Can I still vote?
Where can I vote before polling day?
Who can apply for a Postal Vote?
What is an Electoral Visit Vote?

Do I have to enrol?

Yes. In Queensland it is compulsory for all eligible people to enrol and vote in Federal, State and local government Elections. You may be fined if you don’t!

Who is eligible to enrol for Queensland State and local government elections?

Any person who:

• is 18 years of age or older
• is an Australian Citizen or a British Subject who was enrolled on 25 January 1984 or, for Queensland elections, eligible to be on the State electoral roll on 31 December 1991; and
• has lived at their address for at least one (1) month

You may enrol when you are 17, but you will not be able to vote until your 18th birthday.

Who is not eligible to enrol for Queensland State and local government elections?

A person can’t enrol if they;

• are of unsound mind;
• are convicted of treason or treachery;
• are serving a prison sentence for an offence; or
• those who do not satisfy the criteria listed in Who is eligible to enrol.

I am not an Australian Citizen, can I still enrol?

Yes you can, but only if you are entitled to be enrolled as a British Subject and were enrolled on 25 January 1984 for Federal elections, and for Queensland State elections eligible to be on the State electoral roll on 31 December 1991.

How do I enrol?

You are required to complete an Enrolment form. You can;

• complete an online Enrolment Form which you will need to print, sign and post, fax or email a scanned image to us; or
• pick one up at any post office within Queensland; or
• contact us and we will forward a form to you.

I have changed address. Do I need to complete an Enrolment Form?

Yes. Each time you move address whether it is down the road or across the country you are required to complete an Enrolment Form.

How do I find out where I am currently enrolled?

You can Check your Enrolment to find the Federal, State and local government areas you are enrolled for.

Who has access to the electoral roll?

The Electoral Roll is a public document and therefore, is available for public viewing free of charge.

Can I vote if I am not enrolled?

Yes, if you believe your name has been left off the roll by official error. However, if you have not kept your details up to date and are not correctly enrolled, your vote may not be counted.

If I am in prison can I still enrol and vote?

If you are serving a sentence of imprisonment you can still enrol. However, you are not eligible to vote in Queensland State and local government elections until you have been released from prison.

If you are on remand and have not been convicted and sentenced you are entitled to vote if you are on the Electoral Roll.

Can I sign for someone else if I have Power of Attorney?

No. A person must sign their own name. If they are unable to do so they can make their mark and you can witness it. For more information please see Special Enrolment Provisions.

My friend/relative has passed away. What can I do to have them taken off the electoral roll?

Please contact us in writing or by phone/fax/email. You will need to provide the person’s full name, date of birth, address, date of death, and your relationship to the person.

By doing so we can have them removed from Federal, State and local government electoral rolls.

If I complete an enrolment form am I also on the Federal Roll?

Yes. When you complete a Queensland Enrolment Form you will appear on Federal, State and local government electoral rolls.

My friend/relative cannot sign their name. How can they enrol?

If a person is unable to sign an Enrolment Form because of physical incapacity there are special provisions provided. Please see Special Enrolment Provisions for further information and the appropriate forms you can help them complete.

I am going overseas for an extended period of time. How do I maintain my enrolment?

Please visit our Overseas Electors section which provides all the information you need to know about enrolling and voting from overseas including forms you can complete to avoid being fined if you miss voting in an election.

Do older electors have to enrol and vote?

Yes. No matter what age you are, if you are eligible, you are required to be enrolled and to vote.

How can I view the electoral roll?

You can view the up to date Queensland Electoral Roll in electronic format at our office;

Electoral Commission of Queensland
Level 6 Forestry House
160 Mary Street, Brisbane

You can view the up to date Electoral Roll for all of Australia at any Australian Electoral Commission’s office in Queensland. Please visit AEC’s website for a full list of offices located within Queensland

Viewing is only available during office hours, Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm.

When is the next election?

There is no set date for Queensland State Elections. The last possible date for the next Queensland State General Election is Saturday, 20 June 2015. To see how this date was arrived at click here.

What is a “writ”?

The legal document that instructs an election to be held, and contains the key dates of the election timetable. The writ is issued by the Governor or the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly to the Electoral Commissioner.

What is the “close of rolls”?

The Electoral Roll is continuously updated, however, when an Election is to be held the roll needs to be closed to capture the data of all electors, so as Certified Lists can be printed and Electoral Systems updated with the Enrolment data.

How do I know when an election is being held?

Once the writ has been issued all details and information regarding the election will be available on our website. You will also receive a Voter Information Letter containing information on your enrolment and where you can vote.

How can I apply to work on polling day?

You can apply online when the facilities are available closer to election time.

Who can nominate as a candidate?

Any person who is currently enrolled and complies with Section 64 of the Parliament of Queensland Act 2001.

When can I nominate to stand as a candidate?

Once the election is announced you can nominate to stand as a candidate, but must do so before the close of nominations. The time and date for Close of Nominations will be posted on this site as soon as possible after the issue of the Writ for an election.

How can I nominate?

You can nominate to become a candidate on our website. This function is available once the election has been announced.

What is a scrutineer?

Scrutineers are appointed by candidates as their representatives to observe election proceedings.

What is a “how to vote” card?

They are authorised cards handed out to electors at polling places by Party/Candidate workers.

Are there any restrictions on the distribution of “how to vote” cards?

Yes there are. All How to Vote cards must state the name and address of the person who authorised them. Only those cards that have been lodged with and approved by the Commission before the cut off date are to be distributed on polling day.

Why are pencils used instead of pens?

Pencils can be reused and the specific type of lead pencils cannot be erased entirely. If you prefer you may use a pen.

What voting system is used in Queensland?

Optional Preferential Voting (OPV) is the voting system used for Queensland State Elections.

Electors can express their order of preference by:

• voting for one candidate only;
• voting for some but not all candidates;
• voting for all candidates.

For further information see the OPV Fact Sheet.

Can I use ticks and/or crosses when voting?

Instructions on how to cast your vote appear at the top of the ballot paper. For further information see Voting Instructions.

Who can vote?

Everyone whose name appears on the Electoral Roll or those who claim that they have been left off the roll by official error.

How do I vote?

Instructions on how to cast your vote appear at the top of the ballot paper. For further information see Voting Instructions.

Do I have to vote?

Yes. Voting is compulsory in Queensland for Federal, State and local government elections.

What happens if I don’t vote?

You will receive a Failure to Vote Notice. If you are unable to provide a satisfactory reason for not voting you will be required to pay a fine.

For more information please see Failure to Vote.

How do I know where I can vote?

After the election is announced the Commission will send you a Voter Information Letter. This letter contains your enrolment details and a list of places in your area where you can vote. This information will also be available on our website.

Can I vote more than once?

NO, you cannot. You may be fined if you do!

Do I have to vote if I’m interstate or overseas on Polling Day?

Yes. You can apply for a Postal Vote or have a Pre-Poll Vote.

Postal Vote application forms and details of Pre-Poll venues will be available on our website after the election is announced.

My friend/relative needs assistance when voting. Am I able to assist them?

Yes. If an Elector requires assistance they are able to choose a person to assist them. They may also ask a Polling Official at a polling booth for assistance.

Because of my religious beliefs I do not vote. Will I still be fined?

No, provided you write to us stating your reason for not voting. You must include your full name, date of birth, address, and signature.

I have recently changed address but I haven’t updated my details. Can I still vote?

Yes. You will need to vote for the electoral district for your old address as that is where you will appear on the roll.

Where can I vote before polling day?

Details of Pre-Poll offices will be available on our website after the election is announced.

Who can apply for a Postal Vote?

You can apply for a postal vote if on polling day, you;

• will be interstate or overseas or more than 15km from a polling booth;
• will be working or travelling under conditions that will prevent voting at a polling booth;
• are a member of a religious order or have religious beliefs that prevent you from attending a polling booth on polling day;
• have a serious illness, disability or are in the advanced stages of pregnancy; or
• are caring for a person who is ill, has a disability or is in the advanced stages of pregnancy.

What is an Electoral Visit Vote?

An Electoral Officer will come to your home at an arranged time to take your vote. You will need to complete the Postal Vote/Electoral Visit Vote application form and select the “Electoral Visitor Vote” box.

For all other enquiries

Send an email to ecq@ecq.qld.gov.au

Call ECQ on 1300 881 665 or AEC on 13 23 26