Your ultimate guide to voting in the federal election on Saturday – and the fines you cop if you don’t take part

A whirlwind five-week election race will end with democracy sausages, colourful corflutes of eager candidates and last-minute campaigners outside polling stations.

An estimated 12million Australians are expected to head to the polls on Saturday to have their say on the next federal government.

Voting is compulsory for all citizens aged 18 and over, with the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) threatening a $20 penalty for those who don’t cast their vote. 

The fee jumps to $222 and could even mean a court date if the fine is left unpaid.

A record-breaking 2.395million voters have already cast their ballots – 400,000 more people than this time in 2022. 

Tools such as ‘Build a Ballot’ are designed to help voters calculate their ‘match level’ with local candidates. 

Daily Mail Australia has provided this comprehensive guide to ensure your voting experiences goes as smoothly as possible. 

Voting is compulsory for all Australian citizens aged 18 and over and around 12 million people are expected to head to the polling centres in the federal election (stock image)

Among the 7,000 polling places across Australia, 1,890 will have a sausage sizzle (pictured)

When and where can I vote?

You can vote at any polling place in your state or territory on election day, the AEC has said. There are also designated interstate voting centres.

Polling places, which open from 8am to 6pm, are usually at local schools, churches, community halls and public buildings.

There are over 7,000 polling places and Australians can find their closest centre by checking the AEC website.

Of this number, 1,890 will have a sausage sizzle – also known on election day as ‘democracy sausage’ – for voters, according to the democracysausage.org map.

What do I bring? 

Nothing. A volunteer at the centre will ask for a voter’s name and address before giving them a ballot paper.

The AEC told the Herald Sun that phones are allowed in the voting booth for those making a call or wanting to use Google.

But filming or taking photos of AEC staff, voters, people’s votes, the electoral roll or certified lists is not allowed.

Pets are allowed in booths, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese bringing his dog Toto to the polls in 2022. 

Centres which forbid dogs on the premises may have restrictions.

You can vote at any polling place in your state or territory on election day, the AEC has said. There are also designated interstate voting centres (pictured, voters in 2019)

Pets are not forbidden from polling booths either, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese heading to vote with his dog Toto on election day in 2022 (pictured)

What do I wear? 

There is no dress code for voters but restrictions on campaigning outside polling centres (no closer that six metres) can impact clothing.

‘If a voter wears a pin, shirt or hat with a campaign slogan into the polling place, casts their vote and leaves then it may not be considered as campaigning,’ an AEC statement said in 2023. 

‘However, when inside a polling venue a problem could arise if a voter is seen talking about the material or gesturing towards it.’

The commission suggests avoiding potential issues by not wearing campaign material into a polling place, or to at least bring along a piece of clothing to cover up.

How do I vote?  

The AEC has stated that how someone votes is their decision and, while candidates or campaigners might offer a ‘how to vote’ cards, it remains the individual’s choice.

On arrival at the centre, voters will be handed two ballot papers by a volunteer: a small green one for the House of Representatives and large white one for the Senate. 

Federal elections use a preferential voting system where voters must mark a preference for every candidate on the green paper and mark a preference for a designated number on the white.

People must not identify themselves on the ballot, this includes avoiding writing a name, initials or signing the paper – otherwise it cannot be counted. 

Failure to vote in the upcoming Federal Election may lead to a $20 administrative penalty and the AEC will send a letter with instructions on how to pay it (pictured, Sydney voters in 2023)

Campaigning is forbidden within six metres of a polling centre, the AEC has said (stock image)

What happens if I don’t vote?

Failure to vote in the upcoming Federal Election may lead to a $20 administrative penalty and the AEC will send a letter with instructions on how to pay it.

Some valid and sufficient reasons for not voting on May 3 could include being too ill to make it to the polls, a natural disaster, or some other accident.

A person can advise the commission of the reason will be reviewed, along with any specific circumstances.

If the reason is deemed invalid, the AEC will notify the person that they are required to pay the fine – which if left unpaid could up to $222.

Emma Louise Pearce failed to vote at the 2016 federal election and was taken to court by Commonwealth prosecutors.

After telling the court she disagreed with the voting system she was hit with a $180 fine, legal costs, and a criminal conviction.

The same year, Darwin man Frank Bost refused to vote on principle and took his case to court.

He pleaded guilty to violating the Commonwealth Electoral Act and was ordered to pay $308 including a fine as well as the Australian Electoral Commission’s legal fees.

***
Read more at DailyMail.co.uk