The Electoral Commission of Queensland (ECQ) has begun taking action against non-voters in the 2020 State General Election.
Electoral Commissioner, Pat Vidgen said the non-voter compliance response reinforced that voting was compulsory in Australia.
“Compliance with the Electoral Act is a serious matter and electors have a legal and civic responsibility to participate in our democracy and vote for their Government representatives,” Mr Vidgen said.
“However, the ECQ also recognises life can be unpredictable and complicated, and electors may have a valid and sufficient reason for not voting.”
He said that in recognition of this, the Non-Voter Compliance Program included several steps ensuring electors had the opportunity to engage with the ECQ and disclose their reasons for not voting.
“The 132,000 first-time non-voters from the 2020 October State General Election will not be contacted by the ECQ, but should be aware that voting is compulsory, and they may be subject to future action for not voting in Queensland elections,” Mr Vidgen said.
“Approximately 61,000 electors who are second-time non-voters will receive a warning letter and around 57,000 multiple non-voters who have not voted in three or more elections will receive an ‘apparent failure to vote notice’.”
Mr Vidgen said the ECQ’s current response to non-voters reflected the circumstances particular to 2020, which was a year of substantive challenges.
“The ECQ is pleased to have delivered both the March Local Government elections and the October State General Election in line with the Chief Health Officer’s advice and without a spike in COVID-19,” he said.
“However, we recognise the challenges the presence of COVID-19 presented for many electors across Queensland and therefore are not sending first-time non-voters a warning letter.”
Mr Vidgen said that electors who receive a notice can provide a valid and sufficient excuse for not voting, or pay a fine of $66.50 before the deadline, which was half of the full penalty. Otherwise, the full fine of one penalty unit, $133, would apply.
