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.

A white hand is putting a green piece of paper in a white box labelled 'House of Representatives/GREEN/Ballot Papers'

Casting a vote for the House of Representatives.

Australian Electoral Commission

Casting a vote for the House of Representatives.

A white hand is putting a green piece of paper in a white box labelled 'House of Representatives/GREEN/Ballot Papers'

Australian Electoral Commission

Description

A green ballot paper is put into a ballot box labelled 'House of Representatives/GREEN/Ballot Papers'.