Special Bulletin - Federal Election News; Enrol to Vote TODAY!!

[Alexander Abramoff]

The Russian Ethnic Representative Council of Victoria (RERC) urges all Australian-Russians to cast their vote in this year's Federal election.

The Federal election on Saturday 7 September is fast approaching and RERC encourages voters to register to vote if they have not already done so.

You or others may not be aware, but you must enrol to vote by 8pm this Monday 12 August. You can do it online here: http://www.aec.gov.au/enrol/

It is required by law for all Australian citizens aged 18 or over to vote, and what's more, it's highly important that you use your vote as an opportunity to have your say about what happens in Australia, which belongs to all of us regardless of birthplace. There are fact sheets in Russian and other languages on the Australian Electoral Commission's website for those who aren't comfortable understanding the system in English.

 The website- http://www.aec.gov.au/About_AEC/Translated_information/russian.htm has the following publications:

A guide to enrolling and voting

( Инструкция по регистрации в качестве избирателя и голосованию на федеральных выборах [PDF 199KB] )

 

Direct Enrolment and Update factsheet

( Прямая регистрация в качестве избирателя и обновление данных [PDF 347KB] )

How to make your vote count

( Как добиться того, чтобы ваш голос был учтен [PDF 866KB] )

 

Voting is both a right and an obligation.
 
The Ethnic Communities Council of Victoria Chairperson Joe Caputo said, "Casting your vote is making use of your right to choose who will be representing you, your community and local area as well as your state, in the Australian parliament.  It’s also compulsory in Australia, so it’s important people are enrolled and attend their polling station in their electorate on the day”.
 
All Australian citizens who are 18 years of age and older are required by law to enrol and vote at the upcoming federal election.  
 
“Understanding the voting process can be difficult for people for whom English is a second language or those who have just become Australian citizens and are not familiar with the Australian system of government" said Mr Caputo
 
One way of overcoming these obstacles and being informed is by visiting the Australian Electorate Commission (AEC) website whose factsheets in Russian and other languages other than English provide useful information on enrolling to vote, steps on the day and other useful information.
 
“It is important that people from an ethnic background are aware of where to register, how to cast their vote and that they can also vote by post if they are unable to visit the polling station on election day,” explained Mr Caputo.

Please pass on to your relevant networks.