Does the Governor-General vote in elections?
Great question, thanks John! As an Australian citizen over the age of 18, the Governor-General is required by law to be enrolled to vote.
By convention – tradition – the Governor-General does not vote as they represent the monarch. Before a federal election, the Governor-General or their Official Secretary writes to the Electoral Commissioner to confirm that the Governor-General won't vote. This is accepted by the Australian Electoral Commission and the Governor-General is exempt from having to vote.
Casting a vote for the House of Representatives
Australian Electoral Commission
Casting a vote for the House of Representatives
Australian Electoral Commission
Description
A voter is casting a vote in a federal election. They are placing their green House of Representatives ballot paper into the ballot box labelled 'House of Representatives'. Senate ballot papers are white and are placed into the other ballot box, labelled 'Senate'.
Permission should be sought from the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) for third-party or commercial uses of this image. To contact the AEC email: media@aec.gov.au or phone: 13 23 26.