PSA - 2025 Federal Election Tips - Please Update Your Electoral Address by The 7/4/2025

BewareOfThe Dog on 03/04/2025 - 18:03

Here are a few tips, for anyone that wants to get in and out of the voting process as quickly as possible.

Just a reminder that the Federal election is on the 3rd of May, 2025. If you have moved recently, you have until the 7th of April, to update your address. This is different to updating your Drivers License/Registration/Insurance.
Otherwise, you may be directed to stand in line, and have your address corrected, which could take an extra 5/10/15 minutes.

Also, have your Photo ID, available, as some sites maybe quite noisy, and this will help the polling assistant mark you off quicker, so you can enjoy your Saturday.

Home & Garden Federal Election

Comments

  • Guybrush57 on 03/04/2025 - 18:09
    +4

    and don't forget to buy a sausage in bread and some homemade cakes

  • John Kimble on 03/04/2025 - 18:13
    +5

    Why not just do a postal vote?

    https://www.aec.gov.au/election/pva.htm

    • Drpepper666 on 03/04/2025 - 19:52
      +5

      Thanks

      Also PSA - do NOT use the postal vote registrations coming via email/mail from the LNP

      They take your details, then forward it on to AEC

      • ThithLord on 04/04/2025 - 09:48

        Same as the ALP (I am an avid ALP supporter)

  • Benoffie on 03/04/2025 - 18:19
    +2

    Other tips:

    • if you're a registered silent elector, you will receive your ballot automatically via post. If you dont, call AEC.
    • if you need help voting (maybe first time, new arrival), you can ask. They just can't assist in marking the ballot or direct you on your choice.
    • if you dont want to vote, just rock up, have your name marked off, take the ballot and drop it blank and unfolded in the box. No one cares. Your obligation is the marking off at the roll. For the AEC, it's the giving and receiving of the ballot.

    Remember - dont be a 🍆

    No one cares about how much you hate the inconvenience, politicians, lining up or the pencil conspiracy 🙄

    • tenpercent on 03/04/2025 - 18:35
      -1

      the pencil conspiracy

      Isn't so much a conspiracy as it is a possible way that votes could be tampered with (not that they necessarily have).

      You can bring your own black pen and use that.

      • Benoffie on 03/04/2025 - 19:30
        +2

        People absolutely can. But in all my years working elections, never seen tampering. Just too many eyes, too many retentives and it's honestly not worth the hassle.

    • MS Paint on 03/04/2025 - 19:11
      +1

      drop it blank

      I like to draw a smiley face at the minimum.

      • Benoffie on 03/04/2025 - 19:33
        +2

        Kind comments are always nice.

        But for those wondering - it's a bit of a game to see who gets the rantiest ballot.

        Donald Duck for PM doesnt come close.

        Get F, FO cts, 'this is a waste of my time" - all fairly common 🙄🤣

        • freefall101 on 03/04/2025 - 20:23
          +2

          Which is more common, a drawing of one big dick or the ballot covered with lots of little dicks?

          • jizmo on 03/04/2025 - 20:58
            +1

            @freefall101: Lots of little dicks in the morning as you have all day to draw and a big one for those in a hurry and near closing time.

          • Benoffie on 03/04/2025 - 21:05
            +1

            @freefall101: Good question.

            Classic C&B in bottom corners tends to be the go.

          • ThithLord on 04/04/2025 - 09:57
            +1

            @freefall101: I did that on my first election as an eligible voter. I can't imagine donkey-voting as an adult, how embarrassing.

            • fantombloo on 04/04/2025 - 10:40
              -2

              @ThithLord: I'm not embarrassed by it, there's usually little to no chance of candidates I want getting in. But these days I treat it like damage control - to vote against those I reject the most based on a combination of their policies and chances of getting in. I'm not getting anywhere near what I want, so at least I'm not gonna punish the vulnerable with my lofty hopes.

              • ThithLord on 04/04/2025 - 11:05
                +1

                @fantombloo: Your vote will count for the Senate, fren.

                • fantombloo on 04/04/2025 - 11:30

                  @ThithLord: Yes, but currently I place most hope in the efficacy of my largest numbers.

  • battler on 03/04/2025 - 18:27
    +2

    Vote at pre-polling stations in the week leading up to election. When they ask if you are eligible to pre-poll, say 'yes'. They cannot ask you the reason why.
    Unfortunately, no sausage at pre-polling stations.

  • OzBoganer on 03/04/2025 - 18:40
    +3

    Another tip is to wear a tin foil hat and talk to yourself when you line up. Everyone will get out of your way so you can go to the front of the line.

    • sharkyoz on 03/04/2025 - 18:43
      +1

      i usually wear my D.I.L.L.I.G.A.F tshirt :)

      • tenpercent on 03/04/2025 - 19:03

        Won't that get people bothering you with questions like "what does that stand for"?

  • bobbified on 03/04/2025 - 18:55
    -3

    I'm glad I've been removed from the roll!

    • Guybrush57 on 03/04/2025 - 19:04

      How did you achieve that?

      • bobbified on 03/04/2025 - 19:05
        -3

        I filled out a form to say that I've moved overseas "indefinitely"… they wrote back to say that they've made a decision to remove me from the roll (and even gave me an option to contest it! lol).

        I'll make sure I don't re-enroll for as long as I can after I get back!

        • Benoffie on 03/04/2025 - 19:35

          They cross check with your ATO tax status and arrival data.

          No one escapes…. 😈

          • tenpercent on 03/04/2025 - 19:37
            +2

            @Benoffie: I have a mate who never enrolled when he turned 18. Submits tax returns. Flown in and out of the country several times. Still hasn't been caught.

            • Benoffie on 03/04/2025 - 19:41
              +2

              @tenpercent: The key their was never enrolled.

              It's a bit of a funny one. Technically the law says you have to enroll to vote but there's no compulsion aside from a fine.

              But once in, it's different.

              And they tend to run the rolls at odd times. Ive known people with similar experiences and then others who get it after the election has finished (about 3 months).

              They obviously have the matching data but why they do/dont action it 🤔

          • bobbified on 03/04/2025 - 19:41

            @Benoffie: dammit.. I'll stay overseas for a little longer then! haha

            I just googled and it seems to be mixed bag of results of what has happened to people who haven't re-enrolled. But it doesn't sound like any of them have had a fine. Just repeat reminders to enroll. The fines seem to be for people who are actually on the roll, but failed to vote.

  • Ryanek on 03/04/2025 - 19:06
    +8

    Whenever I get the thought that voting is a hassle or an inconvenience, I remind myself that its a privilidge.

    Countless people across history have fought and died for the right to vote. Standing in a long line is not so bad.

    • Benoffie on 03/04/2025 - 19:37
      +1

      Absolutely.

      It's also an eye opener when new arrivals ask to get their thumb inked and are shocked to find we dont do it.

      Also had one guy once praise the process as being so peaceful and without having guns

      We really take it for granted.

      • tenpercent on 03/04/2025 - 19:42

        I think it's our culture. I can't think of any Western nation where elections are routinely not peaceful.

    • CaptainJack on 03/04/2025 - 21:52
      +1

      There's a difference between a right and an obligation.

  • tenpercent on 03/04/2025 - 19:11
    +1

    Another tip:

    YOU decide your preferences.

    Ignore the how-to-vote cards, even if your first preference hands it to you personally.

    For the lower house you must number all boxes.
    For the Senate, you also decide the order of your preferences; above the line number at least 6 groups, below the line number at least 12 candidates.

    Spend a few minutes to research each of the candidates in your electorate and State before you go to vote and decide what order you want to preference them.

    I encourage you to place Labor and LNP last and second last in your lower house preferences, and leave them off your preferences entirely for the Senate.

    Remember

    Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again (such as flipping and flopping between Labor and Liberal) and expecting different results

    • Zephyrus on 03/04/2025 - 22:01

      This is bad advice, you should numbering them low on your senate election if that's how you feel, but don't just let your vote get exhausted

  • Clear on 03/04/2025 - 19:25
    +1

    We're getting Halloween twice this year. Get dressed up in a costume and have a democracy sausage.

    • tenpercent on 03/04/2025 - 19:32
      +1

      When you eat the sausage it represents you getting <expletive> in the face by the uniparty.

      • Clear on 03/04/2025 - 20:10
        +2

        A typical Tuesday night for me.

  • Fredfloresjr on 03/04/2025 - 19:41

    Another toss coin voting for the household. But guess what, think of the brighter side, broo we are burning 10-30 calories walking to the polling station. Cheers

    • tenpercent on 03/04/2025 - 19:42
      +2

      There are other options than Labor and Liberal. FYI

  • Trying2SaveABuck on 03/04/2025 - 20:19
    +3

    just vote early or postal vote save yourself hours of waiting in line

    • Gdsamp on 03/04/2025 - 21:25
      +2

      Postal vote so i can number 1-160 below the line at a leisurely pace

  • Kib33 on 03/04/2025 - 20:44
    +1

    Vote early and vote often!

  • McMaferMur on 03/04/2025 - 21:07

    Sorry if i have voted before, i dont have to enroll again, right? Still same addrress

  • Wiadro on 03/04/2025 - 21:19
    +4

    green paper 1,2 3, 4,5,6 etc etc complete all the boxes
    white paper, 1,2 3, 4,5,6 etc etc complete all the boxes above the line or
    1,2 3, 4,5,6, etc etc complete all the boxes below the line

    don't make my life hard by drawing a c0ck

    • BewareOfThe Dog on 03/04/2025 - 22:46
      +1

      There will be several parties telling you what to do. As someone working, i am impartial.

      • Wiadro on 03/04/2025 - 23:56
        +1

        Yeah I don’t care who youvote for. I just want like 1.2k for being OIC

    • tenpercent on 04/04/2025 - 08:59

      You only need to number at least 6 above the line or at least 12 below the line.

      Please ensure you are up to date with the current rules, especially if you are working for the AEC.

      • Wiadro on 04/04/2025 - 09:14
        -2

        its easier to just say fill out all the boxes either above or below the line

        • tenpercent on 04/04/2025 - 10:07

          It's also incorrect and could be influencing the votes of electors.

          Probable reaction to the incorrect instruction:

          Omg I don't want to number all hundred plus candidates below the line, I don't have time for that, I guess I'll just do above the line

          And that almost certainly negatively affects ungrouped individual candidates and grouped candidates who are lower in the group lists.

          https://www.aec.gov.au/about_aec/Publications/Backgrounders/…

          Officers not to influence vote s. 325
          An officer must not do any act or thing with the intention of influencing the vote of another person.
          If a person is found guilty of this offence, a court may impose a penalty of imprisonment for six months, or 10 penalty units or both.

          I suggest all AEC workers to take their jobs seriously.

  • mrkorrupt on 03/04/2025 - 22:18
    +2

    Please vote minority parties, please sink this country into minority government so that their is a broader representation of views and the politicians need to work harder and longer to please us.

  • kenzstar on 04/04/2025 - 00:27

    Can i keep my old electoral address even though i dont live there anymore, my parents need help with the voting prcoess.

    • Benoffie on 04/04/2025 - 00:53

      Technically yes, just dont update and vote in/for the old electorate.

      However, nothing stopping you updating and still helping mum and dad.

      It may be worth applying for them to move permanently to postal voting. Being aged/infirm is an acceptable reason.

      Also, if applicable, you can apply to unenroll parents if they are no longer capable of voting. For example, suffering dementia.

  • Tradiebyday on 12/04/2025 - 14:47

    What happens if you are overseas?

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