The Australian Electoral Commission’s national Enrol to Vote Week has 1521 schools registered to participate in the event and is hoping for even more before it officially begins next week. Enrol to Vote Week, from 28 July to 3 August, aims to get eligible young people on the electoral roll and ready to vote in elections. Electoral Commissioner Ian Campbell said the Australian Electoral Commission is delighted that so many schools have chosen to participate in Enrol to Vote Week this year.

The Australian Electoral Commission’s national Enrol to Vote Week has 1521 schools registered to participate in the event and is hoping for even more before it officially begins next week.

Enrol to Vote Week, from 28 July to 3 August, aims to get eligible young people on the electoral roll and ready to vote in elections.

Electoral Commissioner Ian Campbell said the Australian Electoral Commission is delighted that so many schools have chosen to participate in Enrol to Vote Week this year.

“During this year’s Enrol to Vote Week we are reminding young people that between federal elections there are by-elections and state and local government elections, so enrolling to vote is always important.”

More than 80 per cent of eligible schools in Tasmania and the ACT are participating, and more than 60 per cent of schools in New South Wales, South Australia, Victoria and Western Australia.  While the figures for Queensland and the Northern Territory are a little lower, nationally 60 per cent of schools with 17 and 18 year old students are registered for Enrol to Vote Week.

With one in four 18 year olds not enrolled to vote, and many 17 year olds not aware that they can enrol now so they are able to vote as soon as they turn 18, the Australian Electoral Commission is still urging more schools to become involved.

“There is one more week until Enrol to Vote week begins and there is still time to register your school to participate. We encourage schools to register online or call us,” Mr Campbell said.

To see if a school near you is participating, or to find out more about Enrol to Vote Week activities, visit enroltovoteweek.aec.gov.au or call the AEC on 13 23 26.