How do I have my say?

The yarn

• Citizens aged 18 or over must enrol to vote in federal, state and territory elections and referenda. If you are not correctly enrolled, you cannot vote.
• Voting is compulsory in Australian elections and in referenda on constitutional change. If you don't vote without a good reason, you may have to pay a fine.
• Voting is by secret ballot, so you are free and safe to vote for any candidate. No one is allowed to know whom you voted for unless you choose to tell them.
• The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) is a Commonwealth agency responsible for conducting federal elections and referendums and maintaining the electoral roll.
• The AEC is independent of the government. Political parties or people in government cannot influence its decisions.