I have personally faced discrimination due to my disability when it comes to voting. I am not alone in this experience; friends and family members have found themselves enrolled without their consent. Voting should be a voluntary act, not a mandatory obligation enforced by fines or legal penalties. It is intimidating and unfair to live under democratic principles but face authoritarian voting laws.

Currently, the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 & 1924 enforces compulsory enrolment and voting, imposing fines ranging from $20 to $330 (Varieties From Each State) for non-compliance. The Electoral and Referendum Amendment (Protecting Elector Participation) Act 2012 further enforces automatic enrolment and updating of voter information using data from government agencies, received Royal Assent on 24 July 2012, without explicit consent from citizens. These laws undermine personal freedoms and civil liberties, forcing citizens into a system where voting is mandatory.

 

It's time for Australia to follow the example of countries that allow their citizens the freedom to choose whether to participate in elections. Nations like the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Canada, India, the United States, Sweden, Japan, and Colombia recognize voting as a voluntary right, not a legal obligation. Their laws protect individual choice and do not impose penalties for abstaining from voting. These countries have seen increased voter engagement and genuinely democratic turnouts when participation is voluntary.

 

The right to choose is a cornerstone of democratic freedom. Abolishing mandatory voting and automatic registration would honor this principle and protect the personal choice and civil liberties of Australian citizens. Moreover, making voting voluntary can invigorate our political landscape, encouraging candidates to genuinely engage and energize the electorate to earn their votes.

 

It’s crucial that we reform our outdated electoral laws to reflect modern democratic values and empower individuals to either participate in or abstain from the voting process based on their personal convictions. The choice to vote should rest with each citizen, unhindered by threats of fines or coercion.

 

Join me in urging our government to:

 

• Legalize voluntary voting for Australian citizens.

 

• Repeal the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 and the Electoral and Referendum Amendment (Protecting Elector Participation) Act 2012.

 

• Abolish mandatory enrolment and automatic registration without explicit consent.

 

• End fines and penalties for non-voting, which currently range from $20 to $330.

 

• Respect citizens’ rights to choose whether to participate in elections.
  
  Join me in urging our government to legalize volunteer voting for Australian citizens and abolish mandatory voting laws that infringe on our freedoms.

 

 Let's make voting a right, not an obligation.   Sign this petition to support change in our   electoral system. Together, we can make a   difference.