Received a notice for failing to vote?


Sample of non-voter notice

2023 Legislative Council elections

  These elections were for the Upper House divisions of Launceston, Murchison and Rumney. Note, two elections have been held recently in the region of Launceston. Learn more  

Have you received a yellow or blue-coloured letter from the TEC asking why you didn't vote?

Please turn the letter over and choose the relevant option, sign and post the letter back, or pay the fine as indicated.


2023 Legislative Council elections FAQ

Q.  In what areas of Tasmania were these elections held?

A.  On Saturday 6 May 2023, elections were conducted for the Legislative Council (Upper House) divisions of Launceston, Murchison and Rumney. This Launceston election (an attendance ballot requiring electors to vote at a polling place in May) is not to be confused with the more recent local government by-election for Launceston City Council Mayor (a full postal ballot with close of poll in July).

Q.  A family member who was away interstate, overseas or no longer living in Tasmania at the time of the election has received a notice. What can I do?

A.  Turn the letter over, provide the reason for their failure to vote, sign it on the elector's behalf and return it in the reply paid envelope enclosed.

Q.  I no longer live in Tasmania, or the division, so why did I receive this notice?

A.  The rolls for the 2023 Legislative Council elections closed at 6pm Friday 31 March 2023, about one month prior to polling day. At that point in time you were enrolled in one of the divisions and you were required to vote.
If you weren't living in the division at that time, complete and return the form with that information.
You can head over to the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) website to check or update your enrolment.

Q.  I am having difficulty completing the form. What can I do?

A.  Contact the TEC on 1800 801 701 - our staff will be happy to help.


Or, if you have an MPES notice from an earlier election, follow the steps below:

What to do:

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Do you believe you have a valid and sufficient reason for not voting?

Yes

If you believe you have a valid and sufficient reason for failing to vote, you can call the TEC on 1800 801 701

No

If you did not have a valid and sufficient reason for failing to vote, you will have to pay the penalty on the infringement notice to the Monetary Penalties Enforcement Service (MPES).

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Check your enrolment  

In many cases people do not receive letters we send them because their electoral enrolment is not up to date.

You can check your current enrolment and, if you need to, update your enrolment via the Australian Electoral Commission website.

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Request to receive a text message reminder when it's your turn to vote 

To receive an SMS reminder when it's your turn to vote, register your interest by calling the TEC on 1800 801 701.









  

Why have I received a fine?

It is an offence to fail to vote at a Tasmanian parliamentary and local government elections without a valid and sufficient reason. The TEC sends 2 letters to the last known postal address of a person who has not voted. Most people who receive an infringement notice from MPES for failing to vote have not answered either of those letters.

Less commonly an infringement notice will be issued because the reason given for failing to vote was determined not to be valid and sufficient and the penalty has not been paid.