New South Wales Consolidated Acts

ELECTORAL ACT 2017 - SECT 32

32 Compulsory enrolment: obligation to enrol and keep enrolment details updated

(1) Every person who--

(a) has attained the age of 18 years, and

(b) is not enrolled, and

(c) is entitled to be enrolled (other than under section 30 (2)),

must, within 21 days of becoming entitled to be enrolled, complete and lodge an application for enrolment in the approved manner and form, unless the person has been notified by the Electoral Commissioner that the person has been enrolled by the Electoral Commissioner.

: Maximum penalty--1 penalty unit.

Note : In many circumstances, a person will be automatically enrolled by the Electoral Commissioner under section 34.

(2) If a person (including a silent elector)--

(a) is enrolled, and

(b) changes residence from the person's enrolled address to another address in New South Wales,

the person must, within 21 days of becoming entitled to be enrolled in respect of the other address, complete and lodge an application for a change of address in the approved manner and form, unless the person has been notified by the Electoral Commissioner that the elector's enrolment details have been changed.

: Maximum penalty--1 penalty unit.

Note : In many circumstances, an elector's enrolment details will be automatically updated by the Electoral Commissioner under section 34.

(3) Every person who--

(a) has not attained the age of 18 years, and

(b) is entitled to be enrolled, and

(c) is not enrolled,

may complete and lodge an application for enrolment in the approved manner and form.

Note : A person who has attained 16 years of age, is an Australian citizen and resides at an address in New South Wales is entitled to be enrolled in respect of that address--see section 30. However, the person is not entitled to vote until the person is 18 years of age--see section 31.

(4) An application for enrolment under subsection (1) or (3) or for a change of address under subsection (2) must be supported by the evidence of the applicant's identity that is required by the regulations (if any).

(5) If a person--

(a) lodges an application for enrolment, or an application for a change of address, to the Electoral Commissioner, or

(b) forwards a claim for enrolment, or a claim for a transfer of enrolment, to the Australian Electoral Commission,

proceedings are not to be commenced against that person for any alleged offence against this section committed before the person lodged the application or forwarded the claim.

(6) If a person wishes to make an application for enrolment, or an application for a change of address, and a registered medical practitioner has certified, in writing, that the person cannot physically sign the application, another person may, on behalf of the person, complete and lodge the application in accordance with the directions of the person.

(7) A registered medical practitioner's certificate referred to in subsection (6) is to be lodged with the application to which it relates.