No: D3
JSCEM BRIEF – BACK POCKET
INQUIRY INTO THE 2016 FEDERAL ELECTION
TITLE
Roll Divergence
KEY POINTS
Electoral roll divergence occurs where an elector has a different enrolment status or
address for state and federal purposes, and occurs as a result of differences in
legislation or practice between the Commonwealth and states/territories.
These differences are predominantly found in New South Wales and Victoria.
In response to increases in roll divergence, the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC)
devoted additional resources to analyse the issues and identify mitigating strategies.
The successful implementation of these strategies, along with the 2016 federal election
and legislative change in Western Australia, has reduced divergence significantly.
From a high of 785 000 at the end of 2015, divergence was cut by almost 30 per cent
to 562 000 at 31 May 2016. Preliminary figures indicate that roll divergence has since
declined further, mainly as a result of the Federal election and a change in WA
legislation to accept on the WA State roll Federal Direct Enrolment and Update
transactions.
Preliminary figures indicate that roll divergence has since declined further, mainly as a
result of the Federal election and a change in WA legislation to accept on the WA State
roll Federal Direct Enrolment and Update transactions.
The integrity of the electoral roll is critical to our electoral system. The AEC is
continuing to actively address this matter.
Branch
Roll Management
Assistant Commissioner
Andrew Gately
Contact Officer
Andrew Gately
Phone
(02) 6271 5406
BACKGROUND
As at 31 May 2016, there were 562 000 enrolments for persons aged 18 and over that
were divergent due to procedural reasons.
Single enrolment
Dual enrolment (a)
Total
Federal only
State only
Federal leading
State leading
NSW
1
62 566
124
65 704
128 395
VIC
70 673
34 616
82 707
82 483
270 479
QLD
-
-
1
-
1
WA
61 757
542
99 165
258
161 722
SA
4
796
36
317
1 153
TAS
-
-
-
-
-
ACT
-
-
2
-
2
NT
1
-
-
-
1
Total
132 436
98 520
182 035
148 762
561 753
(a) Excludes electors who have dual enrolments at the same address
There are also some electors who are only eligible to vote in federal elections, while
others are only eligible to vote in state/territory elections.
As at 31 May 2016, the following numbers of persons aged 18 and over were
respectively enrolled on the Commonwealth electoral roll and the relevant state or
territory roll in relation to each of the states and territories.
Commonwealth Roll
State Roll
Who is larger
Difference between
Commonwealth over State
Number
%
NSW
5 086 132
5 152 827
State
-66 695
-1.3%
VIC
3 962 588
3 922 459
Federal
40 129
1.0%
QLD
3 076 146
3 075 042
Federal
1 104
0.0%
WA
1 578 786
1 514 340
Federal
64 446
4.1%
SA
1 183 412
1 184 277
State
-865
-0.1%
TAS
373 589
373 533
Federal
56
0.0%
ACT
281 957
281 428
Federal
529
0.2%
NT
133 144
133 143
Federal
1
0.0%
Australia
15 675 754
15 637 049
Federal
38 705
0.2%
