Election Inquiry Submission.pdf

The 2010 Australian federal election saw a significant increase in informal voting, with 729,304 votes (5.55% of total electors) cast informally. This submission to the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters identifies three key factors contributing to this increase:

1. Confusion over compulsory voting: The media and politicians repeatedly stated that voting is not compulsory, but rather that having one's name crossed off the electoral roll is compulsory. This may have led some to believe that voting is voluntary.

2. Mark Latham's statements: Mark Latham publicly stated that voting is not compulsory and encouraged people to submit blank ballots as a form of protest. The Australian Electoral Commission did not prosecute him, despite his statements potentially misleading voters.

3. Australian Electoral Commission advertising: The Commission's 2010 election advertisements omitted the phrase "Voting Is Compulsory," which was present in previous election advertisements. This change may have contributed to the confusion over compulsory voting.

The submission raises questions about the Australian Electoral Commission's response to Mark Latham's statements and the impact of these factors on the increase in informal voting. It also highlights the need for clarity on what constitutes "voting" under the Commonwealth Electoral Act.