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Of those, 226 people were convicted by a court and fined.
With Google searches for “fine for not voting” up 1,000 per cent today, here’s everything you need to know about the voting rules.
Do I have to vote?
According to the law, eligible voters are required to go to a polling location, get their name checked off the certified list, obtain a ballot paper, proceed to a private voting booth, mark their choices, fold the ballot paper, and then place it in the ballot box.
You will face a penalty unless you have “a valid and sufficient reason” for failing to do so.
What is the penalty for not voting?
The amount is $20.
But if you fail to pay the fee and the matter proceeds to court, you could face a much larger penalty.
Are there valid reasons for not voting?
It’s instead at the discretion of the AEC’s Divisional Returning Officer (DRO) for each electorate to determine.
What if I tried to vote, but couldn’t?
While you still might receive a notice from the AEC, it permits you to provide details of the reasons why you were unable to vote.