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Elections - Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the earliest possible dates for the next federal election?
- What are the latest possible dates for the next federal election?
- What is the timetable for a federal election?
- What were the dates for previous elections?
- What was the voter turnout figure for the 2007 election?
- What was the timetable for the 2007 federal election?
- How much do elections cost?
- How many people are employed by the AEC on polling day?
- What is a Scrutineer?
- What is a double dissolution election?
- What is a marginal seat?
- What swing is required for a seat to change hands?
- What is a Writ?
What are the earliest possible dates for the next federal election?
The earliest possible date for a joint House/Senate election is Saturday, 7 August 2010.
The earliest possible date for a House of Representatives election is any Saturday, 33 days after dissolution of House.
The earliest possible date for a Senate election is Saturday, 7 August 2010.
What are the latest possible dates for the next federal election?
The latest possible date for a joint House/Senate election is Saturday, 16 April 2011.
The latest possible date for a House of Representatives election is Saturday, 16 April 2011.
The latest possible date for a Senate election is *Saturday, 21 May 2011.
The Constitution (section 13) requires the election to be completed by 30 June each third year. Following polling day, the Australian Electoral Commission needs five weeks to allow for the receipt of postal votes; then distribution of preferences; followed by return of Writs.
What is the timetable for a federal election?
Please see the Election Timetable.
What were the dates for previous elections?
Please see Federal, State and Territory Election Dates 1946 – Present.
What was the voter turnout figure for the 2007 election?
The percentage of enrolled electors that voted in the 2007 federal election was 94.76% for the House of Representatives and 95.17% for the Senate.
What was the timetable for the 2007 federal election?
Please see the 2007 Federal Election Timetable.
How much do elections cost?
Please see Cost of Elections and Referendums 1901- Present.
How many people are employed by the AEC on polling day?
Over 60,000 people work for the AEC on polling day.
What is a Scrutineer?
Scrutineers are appointed by candidates to observe the voting, and counting of the votes. Scrutineers have the right to be present when the ballot boxes are sealed and opened and when the votes are sorted and counted so that they may check any possible irregularities. For more information see Scrutineers.
What is a double dissolution election?
This is a simultaneous election for all members of both the House of Representatives and the Senate. Under the Constitution, the Governor-General may dissolve both the Senate and the House of Representatives at any time (except within the last six months of the House of Representatives term) provided the special circumstances as set out in s.57 of the Constitution are met.
More information can be found in our Fact sheet on Double Dissolutions.
What is a marginal seat?
Seat status is generally based on the two party preferred results of the last election. However, in seats where Labor and the Coalition were not the final two candidates, the seat status is based on the two candidate preferred result (eg marginal independent). The two party preferred figure refers to the number of votes received by the Labor and Coalition candidates after a full distribution of preferences. The two candidate preferred figure refers to the number of votes received by Independent and major party candidates after a full distribution of preferences.
Where a winning candidate receives less than 56% of the two party preferred vote the seat is classified as ‘marginal’; 56-60% is classified as ‘fairly safe’; and more than 60% is considered ‘safe’.
What swing is required for a seat to change hands?
Anything more than an absolute majority (50% + 1 votes) is the swing required for the seat to change hands (for example; if a member holds a seat with 56% of the vote a swing of greater than 6% is required for the seat to change hands).
What is a Writ?
A writ is a document commanding an electoral officer to hold an election, and contains dates for the close of rolls, the close of nominations, the polling day and the return of the writ. The Governor-General issues the writs for House of Representatives elections and the State Governors in the case of Senate elections.
