Commonwealth Electoral Act 1924

Despite enrolment for federal elections becoming compulsory in 1911, actual voter turnout at elections remained low. In 1922 less than 60% of eligible people voted in the election. To address this, in 1924 an amendment – change – was made to the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 to make voting compulsory. The impact was immediate, with turnout at the 1925 election rising to over 91%.

Under the Electoral Act, voters must:

• attend a polling place
• have their name marked off the certified list – the official list of all the people who are able to vote
• receive a ballot paper
• take it to an individual voting booth
• mark it
• place it in the ballot box.

Australia is one of only 32 countries to enforce compulsory voting. Despite ongoing arguments against the measure, there continues to be strong public support for compulsory voting. Since compulsory voting was introduced, turnout has never been lower than 90%.  

When voting rights were granted to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in 1962 voting was voluntary. Voting was made compulsory for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in 1984.