Rights and freedoms

Compulsory enrolment for elections

27 March 1912

Enrolling to vote becomes mandatory for eligible voters in Australia.

Before it was compulsory to vote, it was compulsory for Australians to have their name on the electoral roll. When the Labor government introduced compulsory enrolment it hoped more workers who moved from area to area would now vote. The conservative opposition thought it would be able to secure more votes from women, whose rate of enrolment was low.

Another outcome of compulsory enrolment was a more equal distribution of electorates based on enrolled voters not population. It also led to a more accurate and fraud-proof record of those who were able to vote – and those who had already voted!

Compulsory enrolment is part of Australia’s effort to make voting as easy as possible. This is also why, in 1910, federal elections were moved to Saturdays to make it easier for workers to vote.

In my opinion the greatest responsibility resting on the shoulders of any citizen is to have his name placed on the electoral roll in order that he may be able to exercise the right to select the men who will be called upon to make the laws of the country.
Senator for Western Australia Christopher George Henderson speaking in the Senate, 20 October 1911
A printed poster of a man in a suit pointing and looking directly at the viewer. He holds an open book with the words ‘Federal electoral roll’ printed.

Historic enrolment poster

Courtesy of the Australian Electoral Commission

Historic enrolment poster

A printed poster of a man in a suit pointing and looking directly at the viewer. He holds an open book with the words ‘Federal electoral roll’ printed.

Courtesy of the Australian Electoral Commission

Description

This poster depicts Prime Minister Andrew Fisher. He was Prime Minister of Australia when the Labor government introduced compulsory enrolment in Australia. The words ‘You’re not on the Roll! We will want your vote!’ are displayed next to Fisher. ‘Send in your claim to-day’ is printed at the bottom of the poster. 

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