When and where to vote in the Australian Capital Territory

Can I vote?

You can vote in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) State Election if you are:

• 18 years old or over
• An Australian Citizen
• You have lived in the ACT for at least one month
• Enrolled to vote

If you didn’t enrol by the deadline, you can still vote on election day. Visit a voting centre to enrol and vote on the spot. Make sure you bring ID, such as your driver’s licence, learner permit, Australian passport, or a recent electricity bill or council rates notice in your name and showing your address. Let one of the ACT Electoral Commission staff know you are not enrolled, and they can assist you.

Do I have to vote?

Yes, if you meet the criteria listed above, you have to vote. You can receive a fine if you do not vote without a good justification for why you could not vote.

When to vote

The next ACT State Election will be held on Saturday 19 October 2024. Voting is open between 08:00 and 18:00 on that day.

Many people will vote on election day. If you cannot vote on election day, you can vote earlier in person or by mail (a postal vote) among other options listed below.

Where to vote

• On election day – at a voting centre near your home. These are usually public buildings, such as schools, churches, or halls. You can see what voting centres are available here ACT Electoral Commission or by calling 02 6205 0033.
• Before election day – at an early voting centre OR by postal vote. You can vote at early voting centres from 8 October 2024.
• Vote by phone – you can use telephone-assisted voting if you are blind, have low vision. Check ACT Electoral Commission for more details closer to the election.

What happens at the polling booth or early voting centre?

Outside the polling booth or early voting centre, you may see candidates and/or volunteers helping the candidates. They may offer you a piece of paper called a ‘how-to-vote’ card.

You do not need to take or follow the how-to-vote card if you do not want to. It can help you decide how to vote if you agree with the candidate’s policies. However, you can still vote for the candidate and rank the other candidates in a different order than what the how-to-vote card suggests.

Inside the polling booth, you will see an ACT election official at a table with a list of names. You need to check in with the election official. They will ask for your name, your address, if you have already voted in the election, and to confirm your electorate. The election official will give you two ballot papers and will point you to where you should vote.

You will vote at cardboard voting booths. The booths have dividers so no one else can see how you vote. The booths have pencils that you can use to mark your vote, but you can also use your own pencil or pen.

If you need help filling out the election ballot papers, you can take a support person or friend with you. The election official can also help you. This helper should not tell you who to vote for and must not tell anyone how you voted without your consent.

What if you will be overseas or interstate on election day?

If you will be travelling during election day (either within Australia or overseas), you can either:

• Vote ahead of time at an early voting centre.
• Vote at an interstate voting centre.
• Vote by postal vote. Postal voting packs can be sent to your home address, or any address you nominate within Australia or overseas.

If you can’t vote at an early voting centre or by postal voting and you have a valid reason why you can’t vote, you won’t receive a fine. Make sure you tell the ACT Electoral Commission before election day by email to elections@act.gov.au

You can also call the ACT Electoral Commission on 02 6205 0033 to find out more information.