Individuals and Elections

Individuals can participate in the electoral process in many ways.

Voting

First and foremost, individuals in Australia participate in the electoral process by voting in elections. Due to Australia's compulsory voting system, all Australians over the age of 18 participate in this way.

Compulsory voting makes being informed on political choice and alternatives particularly important in Australian elections.

Abbott loses Warringah after huge primary vote for SteggallThere was an enormous swing against the former PM, putting him in an unwinnable position against independent rival Zali Steggall.

Standing as an Independant

You do not need to stand for a political party to run for election in Australian parliament. Candidates who do not run for a party are called independants. They seek to influence the law making process by becoming part of the machinery of legislating. In 2019, former Prime Minister Tony Abbott lost his seat in the House of Representatives to Zali Steggall, an independant.

Independants generally are not able to have a major influence over law making in the House of Representatives, but in the Senate or in a Hung Parliament they can exert more influence.

Working for the Electoral Commission

The Australian Electoral Commission runs all Australian elections. They are funded by the government but are independant of them. Australians can work for the electoral commission on election day by counting votes or manning the polling stations.

Initiating Court Cases

Individuals can also initiate court cases that influence elections in Australia. The article to the right details a significant impact that an individual was able to have on Australian elections through a High Court case in 2007.

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