The South Australian State election is where you choose the people you want to make laws for South Australia.
What is Voting?
Voting is when you choose from a list of people who you want to make the laws for South Australia.
When are elections? South Australian State elections are every 4 years. The next election is 15 March 2014.
Where are elections?
Elections are everywhere in South Australia. Before the election we can tell you where to vote.
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Why is voting important?
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Voting is very important! It is about what you want.
It is who you choose.
It is about your • Home • Neighbourhood • City • Town • State • Country
It is about you! 2
Do I have to vote?
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Yes. You have to vote if:
You are an Australian Citizen.
You are 18 or older.
Your name is on the electoral roll.
What is the electoral roll? Keep reading to find out!
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The Electoral Roll
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The electoral roll is the list of people who can vote at elections.
Who can be on the electoral roll? You can be on the electoral roll if:
You are an Australian Citizen.
You are 16 or older.
You have lived at your address for more than one month.
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How do I put my name on the electoral roll?
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You must fill out an enrolment form.
Where can I get an enrolment form?
From a post office
Call us on 1300 655 232 and we can send one to you.
Fill out the online enrolment form at www.aec.gov.au/enrol
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Where do I vote?
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On Election day you vote at a polling place.
Where are polling places? Polling places are announced before every election. They can be at: • Schools • Community centres • Churches • Halls
Before the election we can tell you where your nearest polling place is.
Call us on 1300 655 232
See our website: www.ecsa.sa.gov.au
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When do I vote?
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Voting is every 4 years on Election day.
8:00
From 8 am
Until
6:00 7
6 pm
How do I vote? House of Assembly ballot paper
House of Assembly
Number every square in order of your choice.
2
Candidate
4
Candidate
3
Candidate
1
Candidate
5
Candidate
Legislative Council ballot paper
EITHER
1
Vote above the red line Place a ‘1’ in the square for the party or candidate of your choice.
OR Vote below the red line
6
7
10
9
13
16
8
3
4
11
14
2
5 12
Number every square in order of your choice.
1
15 Ask for
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help if you make a mistake on your ballot paper.
Can I have help with voting?
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Yes. You can have help with voting.
You can take a family member or friend to help you with voting.
OR
You can ask a polling official for help. • They work at elections • They are there to help you • Just look for the people wearing green
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What if I can’t vote on Election day? If you can’t vote on election day you can vote early or by post.
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Voting by post means you can have your ballot papers sent to you in the mail. Then you fill them in and send them back. Find out more about voting by post by calling us or visiting our website. Voting early means voting before the election day. You can find out where and when you can vote early, by calling us or visiting out website.
Call us on 1300 655 232
See our website: www.ecsa.sa.gov.au
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What if I forget to vote?
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Don’t worry if you forget to vote. Call us as soon as you can.
Call us on 1300 655 232
The people at Electoral Commission SA are here to help you.
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Word list
ballot papers
The papers you fill in when voting. You get a small green one and a big white one.You use numbers on them to show your choices.
early voting centre
Places you can vote early before Election day.
election
When you choose who you most want to represent you in State Parliament.
Election day
The day you vote at a polling place. Election day is every four years.
electoral official
The people who work at the polling places. They give you ballot papers and can help you fill them out.
electoral roll
The list of people who can vote at elections
enrol
When you add your name to the electoral roll.
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Word list enrolment form
The form that puts your name on the electoral roll.
Electoral Commission SA
The people who run the State elections in South Australia.
polling place
Where you vote on Election day.
postal vote
When you have your ballot papers sent to you in the mail. You fill them out and send them back.
State election
When everyone on the electoral roll votes for who they most want to be in State parliament. The State election is every 4 years.
State Parliament
The State Parliament makes laws for South Australia. The people who got the most votes at the State election work in the State Parliament.
vote
When the people on the electoral roll decide who should work in State Parliament.
