For Official Use Only (FOUO)
LS5881 Released Document No. 15
DIVERGENCE
ROLL DIVERGENCE
Issue
How can electoral rolls diverge?
Headline Statement
•
Electoral roll divergence occurs where an elector has a different enrolment
status or address for state and federal purposes.
Key Points
•
As at 28 February 2015, there were around 117,000 more electors (on a net
basis) on the various state electoral rolls than on the Commonwealth electoral
roll.
•
In NSW alone, there are around 147,000 more electors on the state electoral
roll than on the Commonwealth electoral roll.
•
Divergence is caused when there is either a difference in legislation or a
difference in electoral roll practice between the Commonwealth and a state or
territory.
•
These differences are predominantly focussed in New South Wales, Victoria
and Western Australia. This divergence continues to trend upwards.
•
Electoral roll divergence can cause considerable confusion at election time,
particularly where enrolments are for different addresses for state and federal
purposes. A similar situation occurs where people are eligible but are not
enrolled to vote in one jurisdiction but are enrolled in the other jurisdiction.
•
The integrity of the electoral roll is critical to our electoral system. I am
advised that the Australian Electoral Commission is undertaking a range of
investigations on the electoral roll divergence issue, with a view to identifying
further strategies to address this matter.
Policy Commitments
•
N/A
Date Updated: 23 April 2015
Cleared by Adviser:
Date Last Printed: 14/01/2017 2:41 PM30/04/2015
PDR Number: QB15-000217
11:43 AM
1
For Official Use Only (FOUO)
For Official Use Only (FOUO)
DIVERGENCE
Date Updated: 23 April 2015
Cleared by Adviser:
Date Last Printed: 14/01/2017 2:41 PM30/04/2015
PDR Number: QB15-000217
11:43 AM
2
For Official Use Only (FOUO)