Electoral and Referendum Regulations

Legislation au C1926L00201 Regulations Not in force Legislative Instrument

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STATUTORY RULES.

1926. No. 201.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE COMMONWEALTH ELECTORAL ACT 1918-1925 AND THE REFERENDUM (CONSTITUTION ALTERATION) ACT 1906-1926.

I, THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL in and over the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, hereby make the following Regulations under the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918-1925 and the Referendum (Constitution Alteration) Act 1906-1926 to come into operation forthwith.

Dated the twenty-second day of December, 1926.

STONEHAVEN,

Governor-General.

By His Excellency’s Command,

T. W. GLASGOW,

Minister of State for Home and Territories.

 

PART I.—PRELIMINARY.

Short title.

1. These Regulations may be cited as the Electoral and Referendum Regulations.

Parts.

2. These Regulations are divided into Parts, as follows:—

Part I.—Preliminary.

Part II.—Electoral

Division 1.—Enrolment.

Division 2.—Enforcement of law in relation to enrolment.

Division 3.—Objections.

Division 4.—Miscellaneous.

Part III.—Electoral and Referendum—

Division 1.—Conduct of Elections and Referendums.

Division 2.—Voting by Post.

Division 3.—Facilities for voting as an Absent Voter.

Division 4.—Forms of Absent Voters’ Ballot-papers.

Division 5.—Records in connexion with Absent Votes.

Division 6.—Scrutiny of Absent Voters’ Ballot-papers.

Division 7.—Scrutiny of Postal Ballot-papers.

Division 8.—Votes recorded in pursuance of Sections 91a, 115(3), 121 and 121a of the Act.

Division 9.—Scrutiny by Assistant Returning Officer.

Division 10.—Recount of Ballot-papers.

Division 11.—Enforcement of law in relation to Compulsory Voting.

Division 12.—Miscellaneous.

Part IV.—Referendum.

C.15674.—Price 1s. 6d.

Electoral Regulations, 3—9]

Repeal.

3. (1) The Electoral and Referendum Regulations 1919 being Statutory Rules 1919, No. 57, as amended by Statutory Rules 1919, Nos. 229, 260, 262, and 276, Statutory Rules 1920, Nos. 126 and 261, Statutory Rules 1922, Nos. 136 and 163, Statutory Rules 1924, Nos. 69 and 206, Statutory Rules 1925, Nos. 167 and 210, and Statutory Rules 1926, Nos. 113 and 117, made under the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918-1925 and the Referendum (Constitution Alteration) Act 1906-1926 are hereby repealed.

Application of regulations in relation to joint rolls.

4. These Regulations shall not apply in relation to joint rolls in any State with which an arrangement pursuant to section 32 of the Act is made, so far as provision is made by any joint regulations relating thereto, but shall, to the extent to which they are applicable, apply in relation to other matters in connexion with those joint rolls, and, for the purposes of the application of any regulations relating to compulsory enrolment, any reference in these Regulations to a form shall, where an appropriate form is provided by the joint regulations, include a reference to the form so provided.

Definitions.

5. In these regulations, unless the contrary intention appears—

“Referendum” means a referendum held under the provisions of the Referendum (Constitution Alteration) Act for the time being in force;

“The Act” means the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 as amended from time to time.

Any reference to a form shall be read as a reference to a form in the Schedule.

PART II.—ELECTORAL.

Division 1.—Enrolment.

Form of roll. Sec. 31.

6. The Roll may be in accordance with Form 1, and shall contain the particulars indicated therein.

Sale of electoral rolls. Sec. 37 (1).

7. The prices at which Rolls shall be sold shall be as follow:—

 

s.

d.

Principal Roll for a Division....................................

2

0

Principal Roll for a Subdivision..................................

0

6

Supplemental Roll for a Division.................................

0

6

Supplemental Roll for a Subdivision...............................

0

3

Form of electoral claim. Secs. 40-42 and 47.

8. (1) The form of claim for enrolment, or transfer of enrolment, of notification of change of address within the same Subdivision, may be in accordance with Form 2.

(2) Any person applying for correction of the entry on the Roll of his name or particulars of enrolment may apply in accordance with Form 2 the case requires, or in such other form, signed by the applicant, as the Registrar approves.

Registration of claim. Secs. 43 (1), 47 (1) (a) and (b).

9. (1) Upon receipt of a claim for enrolment or transfer of enrolment or notification of change of address within the Subdivision, or application for the alteration or correction of particulars of an existing enrolment, the Registrar shall note thereon the date of its receipt by him, and if the

[Electoral Regulations, 10—16

claim, notification, or application is in order and he is satisfied that the claimant is entitled to be enrolled or to have his name transferred or the particulars of his enrolment altered or corrected, the Registrar shall forthwith—

(i) enter on the Subdivision Roll the name of the claimant and the particulars relating to him or alter or correct the particulars of his enrolment, as the case requires; and

(ii) in the case of an enrolment or a transfer of enrolment, notify the claimant in accordance with Form 3 that he has been enrolled; and

(iii) in the case of a transfer of enrolment give notice of the transfer to the Registrar keeping the Subdivision Roll from which the elector’s name has been transferred.

(2) An interim acknowledgment of the receipt, after the issue of the Writ for an election or a referendum, and before the close of the polling at the election or referendum, of a claim for enrolment or transfer of enrolment, may be issued to the elector by the Registrar, in the form authorized by the Chief Electoral Officer.

Notification of transfer of enrolment. Sec. 43 (1).

10. The notification of the transfer of the enrolment of an elector, or the enrolments of electors, may be in accordance with Form 4.

Reference of claim to Divisional Returning Officer. Sec. 44 (1).

11. (1) The reference of an Electoral Claim to the Divisional Returning Officer for his decision pursuant to section 44 (1) of the Act may be made in the form authorized by the Chief Electoral Officer.

(2) The notification to the claimant of such reference may be in accordance with Form 5.

Notification of rejection of claim. Sec. 44 (4).

12. (1) The notification by the Divisional Returning Officer to the Registrar of the rejection of an Electoral Claim may be in the form authorized by the Chief Electoral Officer.

(2) The notification to the claimant of the rejection of an Electoral Claim may be in accordance with Form 6.

Formally defective claim.

13. The Registrar, upon receipt of an Electoral Claim which is not in order by reason of some formal defect only, may send to the claimant a notification in accordance with Form 7 indicating the nature of the defect, and, as the case requires—

(a) return the Claim to him for completion or correction; or

(b) furnish him with a fresh form of Claim for completion.

Certificate authorizing removal of name. Sec. 47 (1) (h).

14. The certificate of the Commonwealth Electoral Officer authorizing the removal of the name of an elector, or the names of electors, from a roll, and the direction of the Divisional Returning Officer thereon, may be in accordance with Form 8.

Notification of removal of name from roll. Sec. 47 (1) (h).

15. Where a name is removed from a Roll by direction of the Divisional Returning Officer upon the certificate of the Commonwealth Electoral Officer pursuant to Section 41 (1) (h) of the Act, the Registrar shall send to the elector whose name is so removed a notification in accordance with Form 9.

Change of electors from one roll to another under Section 28 of Act. See. 28.

16. (1) The change of electors from one Roll to another in accordance with section 28 of the Act shall be effected, where necessary, by removing the names of the electors from the Roll from which they are changed, and by inserting the names so removed on the Roll to which they are changed.

Electoral Regulations, 17—20]

(2) In the following cases notice of the change shall be given by notice in the Gazette and in some newspaper circulating in the part affected:—

(a) when a Subdivision is abolished and all electors whose names are on the roll for that Subdivision are changed to another Subdivision roll; or

(b) when by reason of the alteration of the boundaries of a Division, any Subdivision is changed from one Division to another Division, and all the names of electors which are on the Subdivision roll for the first-mentioned Division are changed to a Subdivision roll for the last-mentioned Division; or

(c) when in consequence of a proclamation for the preparation of new rolls or action thereunder (other than action by an elector), the enrolment of any electors is changed to a Subdivision or Division which differs in name from the Subdivision or Division for which they were enrolled prior to the proclamation, and in the opinion of the Officer charged with the preparation of the new rolls, a reasonably effective notice, generally applicable to all electors in a Subdivision whose enrolments have been changed can be so given.

(3) In any case to which the last preceding sub-regulation does not apply, notice of the change shall be sent by post to each elector concerned, and may be in accordance with Form 10.

Division 2.Enforcement of Law in Relation to Enrolment.

Inquiry and report by Registrar. Sec. 42.

17. The Registrar shall, subject to such directions as he receives from the Divisional Returning Officer, make such inquiries from time to time as are practicable in order to ascertain the names of qualified persons who are entitled to enrolment for the Subdivision for which he keeps the Roll, but are not enrolled therefor, and shall, when any failure to comply with the law is disclosed, report to the Divisional Returning Officer in accordance with Form 11.

Notification in respect of offence. See. 42.

18. Subject to such directions as are issued by the Chief Electoral Officer, the Divisional Returning Officer shall, if satisfied that a qualified person has failed to comply with the requirements of Section 42 of the Act, forthwith notify him of such failure in accordance with Form 12, and inform him that he may reply by Statutory Declaration setting out any facts relevant to the matter, and that he has the option of having the matter dealt with either by the Commonwealth Electoral Officer for the State, or by a Court of Summary Jurisdiction.

Consent to matter being dealt with by Commonwealth Electoral Officer. Sec. 42.

19. Any person to whom a notification has been sent pursuant to the last preceding regulation, who desires the matter to be dealt with by the Commonwealth Electoral Officer, and who is prepared to abide by the decision of that officer, may notify the Divisional Returning Officer in accordance with Form 18.

Proceedings upon receipt of consent to matter being dealt with by Commonwealth Electoral Officer. Sec. 42.

20. Upon the receipt from a person who has failed to comply with the requirements of Section 42 of the Act, of a notification consenting to the matter being dealt with by the Commonwealth Electoral Officer and undertaking to abide by the decision of that officer, the Divisional Returning Officer shall consider the statements contained in the Statutory Declaration (if any) submitted by the person, make such further inquiry as he deems

[Electoral Regulations, 21—24

necessary, and, unless he decides to withdraw the case, transmit the Statutory Declaration (if any) and notification, with a report as to the facts and his opinion thereon, to the Commonwealth Electoral Officer.

Action by Commonwealth Electoral Officer upon receipt of report from Divisional Returning Officer. Sec. 42.

21. (1) Subject to such directions as are issued by the Chief Electoral Officer, the Commonwealth Electoral Officer shall, upon the receipt of a report from a Divisional Returning Officer in respect of an alleged contravention of Section 42 of the Act, consider all the facts, and if satisfied that the person concerned is in default or has contravened the provisions of the Section, he may make an order imposing upon that person a penalty not exceeding Ten shillings for a first offence, and not exceeding Two pounds for any subsequent offence, and notify the Divisional Returning Officer thereof and of the time allowed for payment.

(2) Any penalty imposed by the Commonwealth Electoral Officer in pursuance of this Regulation shall be a debt due to the Commonwealth, and in default of payment within the time allowed, may be recovered in accordance with the provisions of Regulation 23 of these Regulations.

(3) The Chief Electoral Officer may review any order made by a Commonwealth Electoral Officer in pursuance of this Regulation, and may, if he is of opinion that the circumstances justify such action, remit the penalty imposed by the order.

Notification of imposition of penalty. Sec. 42.

22. The Divisional Returning Officer, upon receipt of advice from the Commonwealth Electoral Officer that a penalty has been imposed upon any person for a contravention of Section 42 of the Act, shall notify the person in accordance with Form 14.

Enforcement of penalties.

23. (1) Any order made by a Commonwealth Electoral Officer under Regulation 21 of these Regulations imposing a penalty, may be filed in any Court of Summary Jurisdiction, and thereupon the order shall have effect as if it were an Order of that Court.

(2) Subject to these Regulations, all laws of the State relating to the enforcement of Orders of Courts of Summary Jurisdiction in force in the place where the Court in which the Order is filed is situated shall, to the extent to which they are applicable, apply to all matters relating or incidental to, or in connexion with, the enforcement of the penalty specified in the Order so filed, and to any process for such enforcement.

(3) On the application of a Divisional Returning Officer, any justice of the peace having jurisdiction in the place may issue a warrant of execution, or other applicable process, for the purpose of the enforcement of the Order so filed.

(4) A warrant of execution or other applicable process may be in accordance with any form of warrant of execution or distress or other process applicable to the circumstances under any law in force in the State where the warrant is issued.

(5) Any form of warrant of execution, or other process, whether provided by these Regulations or by the law of the State, may be varied according to the circumstances of the case, and no warrant of execution, or other process, shall be held to be invalid by reason of want of form.

Proceedings where matter not dealt with by Commonwealth Electoral Officer. Sec. 42.

24. (1) Where any person to whom a notification pursuant to regulation 18 has been sent fails, within the time allowed, to reply thereto, or does not within that time consent to the matter being dealt with by the Commonwealth Electoral Officer, the Divisional Returning Officer shall, subject to such directions as he receives from the Commonwealth Electoral Officer,

Electoral Regulations, 25—29]

if he is satisfied that such person has contravened Section 42 of the Act, cause proceedings to be instituted against him in a Court of Summary Jurisdiction:

Provided that where the Divisional Returning Officer, with the concurrence of the Commonwealth Electoral Officer for the State, deems it advisable, the Registrar for the Subdivision may institute proceedings in his own name, and in any such proceedings the authority of the Registrar shall not be questioned.

(2) If, in any case, in which proceedings are instituted in a Court of Summary Jurisdiction, the Divisional Returning Officer has received from the person concerned a Statutory Declaration in pursuance of regulation 18 he shall, as far as it is practicable and necessary for him to do so, inquire into the truth of the statements therein set out, and shall, unless he withdraws the prosecution, cause the declaration to be brought to the notice of the Court.

(3) The Court shall at the hearing of the case consider the statutory declaration (whether the defendant is present or not) as if the matter therein set out had been given in evidence before it.

Declaration of prosecuting officer to be considered by Court.

25. (1) In any prosecution in respect of any contravention of Section 42 of the Act the prosecuting officer may lodge with the Court a statutory declaration in support of the charge, and it shall not then be necessary for him to attend at the hearing.

(2) Where a statutory declaration has been lodged as provided by this regulation and the prosecuting officer is not present at the hearing, the Court shall proceed with the hearing and determination of the case in his absence, and shall consider the statutory declaration as if the matter set out therein had been given in evidence before it.

(3) For the purposes of this regulation any document purporting to be a statutory declaration shall be accepted as such by the Court without proof of the signatures thereon or proof of the authority of the person before whom it purports to have been made to take statutory declarations.

Division 3.Objections.

Notice of objection. Sec. 53.

26. (1) The notice of objection lodged by an elector or officer—not being a Registrar—in respect of a name on a Roll may be in accordance with Form 15.

(2) The notice of objection lodged by a Registrar in respect of a name on a Roll and the direction of the Divisional Returning Officer may be in accordance with Form 16.

Notice to person objected to on the ground of non-residence. Sec. 55.

27. The notice to be forwarded by the Divisional Returning Officer to a person whose name has been objected to upon the ground of non-residence may be in accordance with Form 17.

Notice to person objected to on ground other than non-residence. Sec. 55.

28. The notice to be forwarded by the Divisional Returning Officer to a person whose name has been objected to on a ground other than non-residence may be in accordance with Form 18.

Manner of answering objection. Sec. 56.

29. Any person against whom an objection has been lodged or made may answer the objection as follows:—

(a) by attending before the Divisional Returning Officer at the place mentioned in the notice sent by the Divisional Returning Officer to him and making an oral statement to show that the objection is not good; or

[Electoral Regulations, 30—34

(b) by sending by post or delivering to the Divisional Returning Officer at his office a statement in writing to show that the objection is not good.

Inquiry into objection. Sec. 57.

30. Before determining an objection, the Divisional Returning Officer may make such inquiries as he thinks necessary to ascertain the facts in relation to the objection.

Notice of determination of objection. Sec. 57.

31. (1) Upon determining an objection the Divisional Returning Officer shall send notice of his decision in accordance with Form 19 to the objector if the objector is not a Registrar, and to the person objected to if the person objected to has answered the objection within the prescribed period.

(2) Where an objector is a Registrar, notice of the decision on the objection may be sent to him in accordance with the indorsement on Form 16, and such notice may contain a direction for the removal of an elector’s name from the Roll when an objection has been sustained.

Division 4.—Miscellaneous.

Electoral appeals. Sec. 58.

32. (1) An application under section 58 of the Act to a court of summary jurisdiction may be made at any time within one calendar month after the receipt of notice of the rejection of a claim for enrolment or transfer of enrolment (regulation 12), or of notice of the determination of an objection (regulation 31), and may be made in writing in the form of a complaint setting out the material facts and asking that the Divisional Returning Officer be summoned to answer the complaint.

(2) Upon the complaint being lodged with him, the clerk of the court shall issue a summons to the Divisional Returning Officer to appear before the court at a time and place mentioned in the summons to answer the complaint and produce all papers connected with the claim for enrolment or transfer of enrolment, or the objection, as the case requires.

(3) The Divisional Returning Officer may, by himself or some person appointed to represent him, appear at the hearing and produce to the court all papers connected with the claim for enrolment or transfer of enrolment, or the objection, as the case requires, but, if he does not desire to appear, he may send the papers to the clerk, to be produced at the hearing, together with a statement in writing containing such observations as he sees fit to make, and any such statement shall be considered by the court at the hearing

(4) The Divisional Returning Officer, if present at the hearing, or the person representing him, shall be entitled to be heard.

Part III.—Electoral and Referendum.

Division 1.—Conduct of Elections and Referendums.

Notification of desire to be grouped Sec. 72A.

33. The notification by a candidate of his desire to have his name included in a group with the names of other candidates in that proposed group and with those names only, may be in accordance with Form 20.

Undertaking by Officers and Scrutineers Secs. 98 and 108.

34. (1) Every Divisional Returning Officer, Assistant Returning Officer, Presiding Officer, Assistant Presiding Officer, Substitute Presiding Officer, Poll Clerk, and Scrutineer shall make and subscribe an undertaking in accordance with Form 21.

(2) An omission by a Divisional Returning Officer, Assistant Returning Officer, Presiding Officer, Assistant Presiding Officer, Substitute Presiding Officer, Poll Clerk, or Scrutineer to sign the undertaking required by this Regulation shall not be a ground for setting aside any election or referendum.

Electoral and Referendum Regulations, 35—42]

Polling places Sec. 27.

35. (1) The polling places for a Subdivision shall be those polling places which are declared by the Minister by Gazette notice to be the polling places for that Subdivision and for all electors who are enrolled for that Subdivision.

(2) Until polling places are declared by the Minister in pursuance of this Regulation, the polling places declared in pursuance of regulations repealed by these Regulations shall be deemed to be polling places declared for the purpose of this Regulation.

Use of polling booth for two elections, &c. Sec. 98.

36. The polling booths and ballot-boxes provided for the purposes of any election may be used for the purposes of any other election or any referendum or referendums held on the same day; but the ballot-papers for each election and referendum shall be distinctively coloured.

Provided that where in pursuance of section 14a of the Referendum (Constitution Alteration) Act 1906-1926 two or more forms of referendum ballot-paper are on one piece of paper those forms of ballot-paper may be of the same colour.

Ballot-boxes. Sec. 102.

37. Each ballot-box shall have a cleft in the cover through which the ballot-papers may be deposited in the ballot-box, and shall be provided with means for securely closing the cleft. The ballot-box shall also be capable of being securely fastened by means of a lock.

Official mark. Sec. 133.

38. The official mark for the authentication of ballot-papers shall be a water mark in the paper thereof, consisting of a representation of a shield having therein the letters “C A” intertwined.

Endorsement on ballot-papers. Secs. 90 and 107.

39. A circle containing the words “Divisional Returning Officer’s initials,” or “Presiding Officer’s initials,” as the case requires, may be printed on the back of any ballot-paper, and the words “Postal Vote” or “Absent Vote” may be printed or written on the back of any postal ballot-paper or absent voter’s ballot-paper, as the case requires.

Division 2.—Voting by Post.

Form of application for postal vote certificate and postal ballot-paper. Sec. 85.

40. (1) The application for a postal vote certificate and a postal ballot-paper or postal ballot-papers for a Senate election or a House of Representatives election or a referendum, or all of them, as the case requires, may be in accordance with Form 22.

(2) The application shall state the place which will be the place of living of the applicant elector at the time when a postal vote certificate and postal ballot-paper (or postal ballot-papers) would in the ordinary course of post be delivered to him.

Form of postal vote certificate. Sec. 88.

41. (1) The postal vote certificate may be in accordance with Form 23. (2) The form may be printed on an envelope addressed to the Divisional Returning Officer for the Division for which the elector named in the certificate declares that he is enrolled.

Forms of postal ballot-paper. Sec. 88.

42. (1) The postal ballot-paper for a Senate election may be in accordance with Form 24.

(2) Before issuing any postal ballot-paper for a Senate election, the Divisional Returning Officer shall, if the particulars are not already printed thereon, insert in the ballot-paper—

(a) the name of the State for which the voter declares that he is enrolled;

(b) the number of candidates to be elected;

[Electoral and Referendum Regulations, 43—48

(c) the full names of all candidates for that State in the order directed by the Commonwealth Electoral Officer for the State, and grouped as directed by that Officer in accordance with the provisions of section 105a of the Act; and

(d) the prescribed number of candidates for which the voter must indicate the order of his preference.

(3) The postal ballot-paper for a House of Representatives election may be in accordance with Form 25.

(4) Before issuing a postal ballot-paper for a House of Representatives election the Divisional Returning Officer shall, if the particulars are not already printed thereon, fill in (a) the name of the State and the name of the Division for which the voter declares that be is enrolled; and (b) the full names of all the candidates for that Division, in alphabetical order according to their surnames.

(5) The postal ballot-paper for a referendum may be in accordance with Form 26 or 27 as the case requires.

(6) Before issuing a referendum postal ballot-paper for any State in the Commonwealth other than the State in which the Divisional Returning Officer performs his duties, he shall strike out the name of the State printed thereon and insert the name of the State for which the applicant declares that he is enrolled.

Postal ballot-paper, &c., to be delivered to applicant or sent to his place of living.

43. The postal vote certificate and postal ballot-paper (or postal ballot-papers) shall be delivered to the applicant elector personally or sent by post to him at the place stated in his application in accordance with the provisions of sub-regulation (2) of regulation 40 of these regulations.

Manner of marking postal votes.

44. In a Senate election, or a House of Representatives election, or a referendum a voter voting by post shall mark his vote on his postal ballot-paper in the manner indicated in the directions set forth on the ballot-paper.

Ballot-box for postal votes.

45. The Returning Officer for each Division shall keep a locked and sealed ballot-box with the words “Postal Ballot-box” marked thereon, and shall place and keep therein until the scrutiny all envelopes containing postal ballot-papers received up to the close of the poll.

Division 3.—Facilities for Voting as an Absent Voter.

Where an elector may vote as an absent voter. Sec. 113.

46. In a Senate election, or a House of Representatives election, or a referendum, an elector may, subject to these Regulations, vote as an absent voter on polling day at any polling place within the State for which he is enrolled, not being a prescribed polling place for the Subdivision for which he is enrolled, provided that a polling booth is open under the law on that day at such polling place, and provided further, and it is hereby declared, that the privilege of voting at a polling place as an absent voter is dependent upon the arrangements of the polling place, at which the elector claims to vote as an absent voter, being such as to enable the vote to be recorded, and to be recorded without interference with the rights of the electors enrolled for the Subdivision for which the polling place is prescribed.

Voter to state name and particulars. Sec. 113.

47. The elector must state his name, his place of living, and occupations as appearing on the Roll, and the Division for which he is enrolled, and, to the best of his knowledge, the Subdivision for which he is enrolled.

Questions to be put to voter. Sec. 113.

48. (1) The Presiding Officer shall put to the elector the questions prescribed by sub-section (1) (a) of Section 115 of the Act, and may, and at the request of any scrutineer shall, also put all or any of the questions prescribed by sub-section (1) (b) of the said section.

C.15674.—2

[Electoral and Referendum Regulations, 49—40

(2) If the Presiding Officer is satisfied, from the answers to the questions put the elector under the provisions of Section 115 of the Act, that he is entitled to vote, he may be allowed to vote as an absent voter on making a declaration in accordance with Form 28.

(3) The form of declaration may be printed on an envelope addressed to the Divisional Returning Officer for the Division for which the elector declares that he is enrolled.

Refusal by voter to answer questions.

49. (1) If any person claiming to vote as an absent voter refuses to answer fully any question put to him under the authority of Section 115 of the Act his claim to vote shall be rejected.

(2) If from the answers of the elector to the questions put to him by the Presiding Officer under the provisions of Section 115 of the Act the Presiding Officer is of opinion that the elector is not entitled to vote the Presiding Officer shall inform him that in his opinion his claim to vote should be rejected, and shall thereupon reject his claim to vote unless the elector alleges that his claim to vote should not be rejected and states the grounds of his allegation and makes a declaration in accordance with Form 35 before the Presiding Officer as to the ground of his allegation.

(3) The form of declaration may be printed on an envelope addressed to the Divisional Returning Officer for the Division for which the elector declares that he is enrolled.

(4) When any person is permitted to vote under the provisions of Regulation 48 or this regulation he shall mark and fold his ballot-paper in the manner directed on the ballot-paper and return it so folded to the Presiding Officer.

Physically incapacitated or illiterate electors.

50. If any elector who claims to vote as an absent voter satisfies the Presiding Officer that his sight is so impaired or that he is so physically incapacitated or illiterate that he is unable to vote without assistance, the Presiding Officer, in the presence of such scrutineers as may be present, or, if there be no scrutineers present, then—

(i) in the presence of the Poll Clerk, or

(ii) if the elector so desires, in the presence of a person appointed by such elector, instead of the Poll Clerk

shall take the following action:—

(a) fill in the form of declaration with the required particular relating to the enrolment of the elector, as requested by such elector;

(b) read over to the elector the form of declaration;

(c) require the elector to sign the form of declaration—

(i) in his own handwriting if he is able to do so; or

(ii) with his mark as his personal signature if he is unable to sign his name in his own handwriting;

(d) cause the signature of the elector, if made by means of a mark to be witnessed by a scrutineer present, or, if no scrutineer be present, by the Poll Clerk or the person appointed by the elector;

(e) complete and attest the declaration;

(f) mark and fold the ballot-paper or ballot-papers (as the case requires) for the elector;

(g) enclose the ballot-paper or ballot-papers in the envelope bearing the absent voter’s declaration; and

(h) securely fasten the envelope and deal with it in the manner directed in relation to other absent voters’ ballot-papers.

Electoral and Referendum Regulations, 51—57]

Division—Forms of Absent Voters’ Ballot Papers.

Absent voter’s ballot-paper—Senate election. Sec. 113.

51. The ballot-paper for a Senate Election to be used by an elector voting as an absent voter may be in accordance with Form 29, provided that the names of the Candidates, and the name of the State and the name of the Division, may be either printed or written thereon.

Absent voter’s ballot-paper—House of Representatives election. Sec. 113.

52. The ballot-paper for a House of Representatives Election to be used by an elector voting as an absent voter may be in accordance with Form 30, provided that the names of the Candidates, and the name of the State and the name of the Division, may be either printed or written thereon.

Absent voter’s ballot-paper for referendum in respect of one proposed law.

53. The ballot-paper for a referendum in respect of one proposed law, to be used by an elector voting as an absent voter, may be in accordance with Form 31.

Absent voter’s ballot-paper for referendum in respect of two of more proposed laws.

54. Where two or more proposed laws are submitted to the electors on the same day under the provisions of the Referendum (Constitution Alteration) Act in force for the time being the ballot-papers relating to any two or more of those proposed laws, to be used by an elector voting as an absent voter, may be included in one special form of ballot-paper, which may be in accordance with Form 32.

Division 5.—Records in connexion with Absent Votes

Record of absent voters.

55. The Presiding Officer shall make a record of the name of each elector who has voted at his polling booth as an absent voter at an election or referendum, together with the names of the Division and Subdivision for which the elector declares that he is enrolled as indicated on the form of declaration, and, at the close of the poll, shall forward the record, duly certified, under seal, to the Assistant Returning Officer.

Absent voters’ ballot-papers—action by Assistant Returning Officer. Sec. 113.

56. The Assistant Returning Officer, on receipt from a Presiding Officer of a ballot-box containing absent voters’ ballot-papers enclosed in the envelopes bearing the electors’ declarations, will take the following action:—

(a) check the number of such envelopes with the number appearing in the Presiding Officer’s record, preserve a note thereof, and report any discrepancy to his Divisional Returning Officer;

(b) place in a separate parcel the envelopes addressed to each Divisional Returning Officer, indorse on each parcel the total number of envelopes contained therein, and add his signature and the date;

(c) place each parcel in an outer cover, fully addressed to the Divisional Returning Officer for the Division for which the electors declare that they are enrolled, fasten and seal the cover, and forthwith transmit the package by registered post to the Divisional Returning Officer;

(d) immediately advise, by telegraph or by such other expeditious means as may be directed, each Divisional Returning Officer concerned of the total number of envelopes, bearing absent voters’ declarations, so forwarded to him.

Custody of absent voters’ ballot-papers. Sec. 113.

57. The Divisional Returning Officer shall preserve in his custody—

(a) a book, in which he shall record from time to time the number of envelopes bearing absent voters’ declarations received by him from each Assistant Returning Officer:

[Electoral and Referendum Regulations, 58—59]

(b) a locked and sealed ballot-box, marked “Absent Voters’ Ballot-box,” in which he shall forthwith place all envelopes bearing absent voters’ declarations received by him from Assistant Returning Officers.

Division 6.—Scrutiny of Absent Voters’ Ballot-papers.

Who may attend scrutiny. Sec. 113.

58. The scrutiny of absent voters’ ballot-papers shall commence as soon as practicable after the close of the poll, and shall be conducted, with the assistance of at least one Assistant Returning Officer, in the presence of such authorized scrutineers as choose to attend and any other persons approved by the Divisional Returning Officer.

Preliminary scrutiny. Sec. 113.

59. (1) The Divisional Returning Officer shall—

(a) produce and open the absent voters’ ballot-box in which the envelopes containing the absent voters’ ballot-papers have been placed;

(b) place in one parcel the unopened envelopes bearing the duly signed and attested declarations of those persons who he is satisfied are enrolled for and are entitled to vote in respect of, his Division, accept for further scrutiny the ballot-papers contained therein, and place a mark opposite the name of each of such persons on a certified copy of the Roll to be used by him for the purposes of the scrutiny;

(c) place in another parcel the unopened envelopes bearing the declarations of those persons who he is satisfied are not enrolled for, or are not entitled to vote in respect of, his Division, or whose declarations are not duly signed and attested, fasten and seal the parcel, indorse thereon the words “absent voters’ ballot-papers rejected at the preliminary scrutiny,” and add the name of the Division, his signature, and the date:

Provided that an absent voter’s ballot-paper shall not be rejected at the preliminary scrutiny by reason only of the fact that the Presiding Officer has omitted to attest the declaration of the elector if before the declaration of the poll the officer certifies that the omission was due to inadvertence, and that the declaration was, as a matter of fact, duly signed in such officer’s presence;

(d) place the envelopes containing the ballot-papers which he has decided to accept for further scrutiny before him on a table in such a manner that the face only of each envelope bearing the address of the Divisional Returning Officer shall be visible;

(e) number each envelope consecutively from one upwards in the top right-hand corner until the whole of the envelopes have been dealt with, and initial each number;

(f) without further examining the declaration of any voter, or permitting any other person to do so, withdraw from the envelop each ballot-paper contained therein, and, without inspecting or unfolding such ballot-paper, or allowing any other person to do so, place thereon a number corresponding with that placed on the envelope from which the ballot-paper has been withdrawn, initial the number, and forthwith deposit the folded ballot-paper in a locked and sealed ballot-box for further scrutiny;

[Electoral and Referendum Regulations, 60—61]

(g) place the envelopes in a parcel, indorsed with the words “Envelopes bearing absent voters’ declarations from which ballot-papers have been withdrawn for further scrutiny,” fasten and seal the parcel, add the name of the Division, his signature, and the date.

(2) It shall not be necessary for the Divisional Returning Officer to await the receipt of the whole of the envelopes containing absent voters’ ballot-papers for his Division before proceeding with the further scrutiny of the ballot-papers which have been placed in the ballot-box referred to in paragraph (f) of the preceding sub-regulation, but he shall keep sufficient uncounted ballot-papers in the ballot-box to insure that all ballot-papers for an election or referendum, when counted, shall be taken from a number sufficient to prevent the identity of the voters from being disclosed.

Further scrutiny. Sec. 113.

60. At the further scrutiny, the Divisional Returning Officer shall open the ballot-box referred to in Regulation 59 (1) (f), examine the absent voters’ ballot-papers contained therein, and shall—

(a) in a Senate election or in a House of Representatives election—

(i) reject all informal ballot-papers, and arrange the unrejected ballot-papers under the names of the respective candidates by placing in a separate parcel all those on which a first preference is indicated for the same candidate;

(ii) count the first preference votes given for each candidate on all unrejected ballot-papers; and

(b) in a referendum, allow and count the ballot-papers which are formal and disallow and reject those which are informal.

Informal ballot-papers. Sec. 113.

61. (1) Au absent voter’s ballot-paper shall be informal—

(a) if in a Senate election or a House of Representatives election, or in a referendum, it is not authenticated by the initials of the proper officer, or by the official mark as prescribed under the provisions of the Commonwealth Electoral Act or the Referendum (Constitution Alteration) Act (as the case requires) in force for the time being; or

(b) if in a Senate election it has no vote indicated on it, or it does not indicate the voter’s first preference for one candidate and his consecutive [preferences for so many other candidates as will, with the candidate for whom he votes as his first preference, be equal to twice the number of the candidates to be elected, plus one, or, if there are fewer candidates than that number, the total number of candidates; or

(c) if in a House of Representatives election it has no vote indicated on it, or it does not indicate the voter’s first preference for one candidate and, in the case of any election where there are more than two candidates, his contingent votes for all the remaining candidates;

Provided that in a House of Representatives election at which there are not more than two candidates, the voter’s preference for one candidate shall be deemed to be sufficiently indicated in the case of a ballot-paper marked so as to indicate the voter’s first preference only; or

(d) if in a referendum it has no vote marked on it, or has more than one vote marked on it; or

[Electoral and Referendum Regulations, 62—64]

(e) if in a Senate election or a House of Representatives election, or in a referendum, it has upon it any mark or writing (not lawfully authorized to be put upon it) by which, in the opinion of the Divisional Returning Officer the voter can be identified; or

(f) if in a Senate election or a House of Representatives election, or in a referendum, it is not contained in the envelope bearing the declaration of the elector:

Provided that paragraph (e) of this sub-regulation shall not apply to any mark or writing placed upon the ballot-paper by an officer, notwithstanding that the placing of the mark or writing upon the ballot-paper is a contravention of the law; but if any officer unlawfully places any mark or writing on any ballot-paper which would enable any person to identify the voter to whom it is issued, he shall be liable to a penalty not exceeding £10.

(2) In a Senate election or a House of Representatives election an absent voter’s ballot-paper shall not be rejected as informal merely because the surname only of any candidate has been written thereon, if no other candidate has the same surname, or by reason of any mistake in spelling where there is no doubt as to the identity of the candidate.

(3) An absent voter’s ballot-paper shall not be rejected merely because of a formal defect therein through the name of a wrong State or Division appearing thereon, or the omission of the name of the State or Division, if the name of the Division for which the elector is enrolled appears in the declaration of the elector.

(4) In a Senate election or a House of Representatives election or a referendum an absent voter’s ballot-paper shall not be informal for any reason other than the reasons specified in this Regulation, but shall be given effect to according to the voter’s intention so far as his intention is clear.

Objection by scrutineer to ballot-paper.

62. If a scrutineer objects to a ballot-paper as being informal, the Divisional Returning Officer conducting the scrutiny shall mark the ballot-paper “Admitted,” or “Rejected,” according to his decision to admit or reject the ballot-paper, and add his initials, but nothing in this regulation shall prevent the Divisional Returning Officer from rejecting a ballot-paper as being informal although it is not objected to.

Parcelling of ballot-papers. Sec. 113.

63. The Divisional Returning Officer shall place in separate parcels—

(а) all absent voters’ ballot-papers allowed or admitted as formal for each election;

(b) all absent voters’ ballot-papers disallowed or rejected as informal for each election;

(c) all absent voters’ ballot-papers allowed or admitted as formal or disallowed or rejected as informal in connexion with any referendum or referendums;

and shall fasten and seal each parcel, and indorse thereon particulars of the contents thereof, the name of the Division, and add his signature and the date.

Absent voters’ envelopes to be forwarded to Commonwealth Electoral Officer.

64. The Divisional Returning Officer shall forthwith forward the sealed parcels of envelopes (bearing absent voters’ declarations) from which ballot-papers have been withdrawn for further scrutiny to the Commonwealth Electoral Officer for the State, who shall preserve the parcels until the authority of the Chief Electoral Officer has been obtained for their destruction.

[Electoral and Referendum Regulations, 65—69]

Opening of sealed parcels of ballot-papers. Secs. 113, 135, and 136.

65. (1) The sealed parcels of absent voters’ ballot-papers may only be opened—

(a) in the case of a Senate election—for the purpose of determining the election in the manner provided in section 135 of the Act; or

(b) in the case of a House of Representatives election, where no candidate has received an absolute majority of first preference votes cast at the election and it is necessary to determine the election in the manner provided in Section 136 of the Act; or

(c) for the purposes of an authorized recount; or

(d) by direction of the Court of Disputed Returns.

(2) When sealed parcels of absent voters’ ballot-papers are opened in pursuance of paragraph (a) or paragraph (b) of the last preceding sub-regulation the ballot-papers shall be dealt with in the same manner as ballot-papers contained in a parcel transmitted to the Divisional Returning Officer by an Assistant Returning Officer.

Preservation of ballot-papers, Sec. 113.

66. The Divisional Returning Officer shall preserve the sealed parcels—

(a) of absent voters’ ballot-papers allowed or admitted at the scrutiny;

(b) of absent voters’ ballot-papers disallowed or rejected at the scrutiny;

(c) of envelopes bearing absent voters’ declarations and containing ballot-papers rejected at the preliminary scrutiny,

until the authority of the Chief Electoral Officer has been obtained for their destruction.

Opening of sealed parcels of declarations.

67. The sealed parcels of absent voters’ declarations may only be opened—

(a) by direction of the Court of Disputed Returns; or

() by the Commonwealth Electoral Officer for the State, subject to such directions as he may receive from the Chief Electoral Officer, for the purpose of comparing the signature of any voter thereon with the signature purporting to be that of the same person on the Electoral Claim Card filed in his office, or for the purpose of instituting any authorized official inquiry.

Division 7.—Scrutiny of Postal Ballot-papers.

Preliminary and further scrutiny.

68. The scrutiny of postal ballot-papers in a Senate election or a House of Representatives election or a referendum shall be conducted as provided for in Part XII. of the Act, and, in so far as it is not so provided for, shall be conducted as nearly as practicable in the same manner as is provided by these regulations in relation to the scrutiny of absent voters’ ballot-papers:

Provided that for the purpose of the scrutiny of postal ballot-papers any reference in these regulations, in relation to the scrutiny of absent voters’ ballot-papers, to the absent voters’ ballot-box shall be read as a reference to the postal ballot-box; any reference to a ballot-paper, or an absent voter’s ballot-paper, shall be read as a reference to a postal ballot-paper; and any reference to a declaration, or an absent voter’s declaration, shall be read as a reference to a postal vote certificate.

Postal ballot-papers, &c., how dealt with.

69. The postal ballot-papers and postal vote certificates shall be dealt with as nearly as practicable in the manner provided by Regulations 63 to 67 inclusive in relation to absent voters’ ballot-papers and absent voters’ declarations.

[Electoral and Referendum Regulations, 70—74]

Division 8.—Votes Recorded in Pursuance of Sections 91 a, 115 (3), 121, and 121a of the Act.

Declarations under Section 91A, 115(3), 121, or 121A of Act.

70. (1) The declaration to be made by a person claiming to vote pursuant to section 121 of the Act on the ground that his name has been omitted from, or struck out of, the Certified List of Voters owing to an error of an officer or a mistake of fact shall be in accordance with Form 33, and the declaration to be made by a person claiming to vote under the provisions of section 91a, section 115 (3) or section 121a shall be in accordance with Form 34, 35, or 36 respectively.

(2) The declaration may be printed on the back of an envelope addressed to the Divisional Returning Officer for the Division in respect of which the elector claims to vote, or may be attached by gum or other adhesive substance to such envelope.

Ballot-paper under section 91A, 115 (3), 121, or 121A of Act.

71. The ballot-paper to be used by a person claiming to vote pursuant to section 91a, 115 (3), 121, or 121a of the Act may be in accordance with the form prescribed to be used by an elector voting as an absent voter. The words ‘Absent Vote’ appearing on such ballot-paper may be struck out and the words ‘Section 91a,’ ‘Section 115 (3),’ ‘Section 121’ or ‘Section 121a,’ as the case requires, substituted therefor.

Record to be made by Presiding Officer.

72. The Presiding Officer shall make a record of the name and other particulars of each person who votes at his polling booth under the provisions of section 91a, 115 (3), 121, or 121A of the Act, and, at the close of the poll, shall forward the record, duly certified, under seal, to the Assistant Returning Officer.

Action by Assistant Returning Officer.

73. The Assistant Returning Officer, on receipt from a Presiding Officer of a ballot-box containing ballot-papers enclosed in envelopes bearing declarations of persons who have voted pursuant to section 91A, 115 (3), 121, or 121a of the Act, shall take the following action:—

(a) check the number of such envelopes with the number appearing in the Presiding Officer’s record, preserve a note thereof, and report any discrepancy to his Divisional Returning Officer;

(b) place the envelopes in a parcel addressed to each Divisional Returning Officer, indorse on the parcel the total number of envelopes contained therein, and add his signature and the date;

(c) place the parcel in an outer cover, fully addressed to the Divisional Returning Officer for the Division for which the electors declare they are enrolled, fasten and seal the cover, and forthwith transmit the package by registered post to the Divisional Returning Officer;

(d) immediately advise, by telegraph or by such other expeditious means as may be directed, each Divisional Returning Officer concerned of the total number of such envelopes so forwarded to him.

Scrutiny of votes cast under Section 91(A), 115(3), 121, or 121(a) of Act.

74. The provisions of Regulations 57 to 67 inclusive shall apply as nearly as practicable to the receipt, scrutiny, parcelling, and preservation of ballot-papers and envelopes bearing declarations used for the purposes of voting under section 91a, 115 (3), 121, or 121a of the Act:

Provided that for the purpose of the scrutiny of ballot-papers and envelopes bearing declarations used for the purposes of voting under section 91a, 115 (3), 121, or 121a of the Act, any reference in these regulations to

[Electoral and Referendum Regulations, 75—77]

a ballot-paper, an absent voter’s ballot-paper, an absent voter’s declaration, or an absent voter’s ballot-box, shall be read as a reference to a ballot-paper, declaration, or ballot-box, as the case requires, used for the purposes of voting under section 91a, 115 (3), 121, or 121a of the Act, or for the receipt and scrutiny of votes cast under any of those sections.

Physically incapacitated or illiterate electors voting under Section 91A, 115 (3), 121, or 121a of Act.

75. In the case of a person, whose sight is so impaired or who is so physically incapacitated or illiterate that he is unable to vote without assistance, who claims to vote pursuant to section 91a, 115 (3), 121, or 121a of the Act, the provisions of Regulation 50 of these Regulations shall apply mutatis mutandis as if the person were claiming to vote as an absent voter:

Provided that in the application of that regulation any reference to the particulars relating to the enrolment of the elector shall be read as a reference to the Division and Subdivision for which the elector claims to be enrolled.

Division 9.—Scrutiny by Assistant Returning Officer.

Scrutiny by Assistant Returning office. Secs. 185 and 186.

76. (1) At the scrutiny the Assistant Returning Officer shall, on receipt, from a Presiding Officer, of a ballot-box, forthwith exhibit it for the inspection of the scrutineers present, and shall record the condition in which the box is received, and shall then, in the presence of the scrutineers present, open the ballot-box, and, subject to the action prescribed in Regulations 56 and 73, take out and count the ballot-papers (but not inspect the votes), and record the total number of the ballot-papers taken therefrom, and thus check the statement of the Presiding Officer.

(2) If the total number of ballot-papers taken from a ballot-box is not less than one hundred, the votes may immediately be inspected and counted.

(3) If the total number of ballot-papers taken from a ballot-box is less than one hundred, they shall be placed in a locked and sealed ballot-box, called a reserve ballot-box, which has been previously exhibited to the scrutineers, and the counting of the votes on those ballot-papers shall be deferred.

(4) The ballot-papers in the reserve ballot-box may be taken out and counted when all the ballot-papers taken from any two or more ballot-boxes and placed in the reserve ballot-box exceed one hundred, but where no more ballot-boxes are to be received at the counting centre, the ballot-papers may be taken out and counted, notwithstanding that there are less than one hundred ballot-papers in the reserve ballot-box.

Division 10.—Recount of Ballot-papers.

Recount. Secs. 137 and 138.

77. (1) Before proceeding to recount any ballot-papers, the Divisional Returning Officer shall send to each candidate notice of the time and place fixed for the recount.

(2) The Divisional Returning Officer shall, at the time and place fixed for the recount, in the presence of the scrutineer or scrutineers in attendance, and of an officer of the Commonwealth Public Service, open every sealed parcel of ballot-papers to be recounted, and shall count the votes therein.

(3) Each parcel of ballot-papers to be recounted shall be opened separately without destroying or rendering illegible any indorsements on the parcel, and every care shall be taken to prevent the ballot-papers in the parcel from being mixed with the ballot-papers in any other parcel.

[Electoral and Referendum Regulations, 78]

(4) After a parcel has been opened and the votes therein counted, the ballot-papers shall be replaced in their original cover, which shall be resealed, refastened, and then placed in a new cover, which shall be sealed and fastened, and an indorsement shall be made thereon of the fact and date of the recount, and shall be signed by the Divisional Returning Officer and such persons authorized to be present at the recount as choose to add their signatures.

(5) When any ballot-papers are, at a recount, reserved for the decision of the Commonwealth Electoral Officer for the State, the Divisional Returning Officer shall, in the presence of the scrutineer or scrutineers in attendance, place the ballot-papers in a properly fastened and sealed parcel bearing his signature and the signature or signatures of the scrutineer or scrutineers, together with an indorsement setting forth the number of ballot-papers contained therein, the name of the Division, and the date; and shall place, the parcel in a fastened and sealed outer cover fully addressed to the Commonwealth Electoral Officer for the State, and forthwith transmit the parcel to him by registered post.

(6) On receipt of the parcel, the Commonwealth Electoral Officer shall, in the presence of an officer of the Commonwealth Public Service, and, if any candidate so desires, in the presence of a person appointed by such candidate, open the parcel and scrutinize the ballot-papers and shall mark each ballot-paper “Admitted,” or “Rejected,” according to his decision to admit or reject such ballot-paper.

(7) When the Commonwealth Electoral Officer has given his decision on the ballot-papers, he shall restore them to their original cover, refasten and reseal the cover, and indorse thereon—

(a) the number of ballot-papers contained therein;

(b) a statement that such ballot-papers have been the subject of decision by him;

(c) his signature and the date;

and shall request the persons in whose presence he scrutinized the ballot-papers to add their signatures, and shall then place the parcel in a new cover, which he shall fasten, seal and forthwith return by registered post to the Divisional Returning Officer.

(8) The Commonwealth Electoral Officer shall advise the Divisional Returning Officer, in writing, as to the number of ballot-papers admitted or rejected by him and the Commonwealth Electoral Officer’s decision shall be accepted by the Divisional Returning Officer in completing his recount of the ballot-papers.

(9) The receipt of every parcel of ballot-papers shall be acknowledged in writing by the Commonwealth Electoral Officer and the Divisional Returning Officer respectively.

Division 11.—Enforcement of Law in Relation to Compulsory Voting.

List of electors who failed to vote.

78. (1) The list of the names and descriptions of the electors enrolled for a Division, who did not vote at an election or a referendum, which is required to be prepared by the Divisional Returning Officer for the Division, under the provisions of sub-section (2) of section 128a of the Act, may be prepared in separate Subdivision Lists, which may be certified in accordance with the Form 37.

(2) All the Subdivision Lists for a Division shall together form the List for the Division.

[Electoral and Referendum Regulations, 79—81]

Notice to elector under section 128a, sub-section (4), and reply of elector.

79. (1) The notice to be sent under the provisions of sub-section (4) of section 128a of the Act to each elector whose name appears on the list shall be posted within three months after the close of the election or referendum.

(2) The notice may be in accordance with Form 38.

(3) The form, for the reply of the elector, which shall be filled up and signed by the elector in the presence of a witness, may be in accordance with Form 39.

(4) The witness shall be an elector or a person qualified to be an elector.

Action where reason considered insufficient.

80. (1) Where the reply of the elector states a reason for his failure to vote which, in the opinion of the Divisional Returning Officer, is not a valid and sufficient reason for that failure, the Divisional Returning Officer shall, after endorsing on both copies of the list prepared by him his opinion in accordance with sub-section (8) of section 128a of the Act, notify the elector, in accordance with Form 40, of his opinion, and inform him that he has the option of having the matter dealt with by the Commonwealth Electoral Officer or by a Court of Summary Jurisdiction.

(2) Any elector to whom a notification has been sent pursuant to the last preceding sub-regulation, who desires the matter to be dealt with by the Commonwealth Electoral Officer, and who is prepared to abide by the decision of that officer, may notify the Divisional Returning Officer in accordance with Form 41, and may deposit with the Divisional Returning Officer such sum as that officer determines, to be appropriated in payment of the penalty, if any, which the Commonwealth Electoral Officer imposes upon him.

(3) Upon the receipt from an elector who has failed to vote—

(a) of a notification consenting to the matter being dealt with by the Commonwealth Electoral Officer and to abide by the decision of that officer, and

(b) of the deposit specified in the last preceding sub-regulation,

the Divisional Returning Officer shall transmit the notification, together with the elector’s reply stating his reason for having failed to vote and the Divisional Returning Officer’s opinion thereon, to the Commonwealth Electoral Officer.

Action by Commonwealth Electoral Officer upon receipt of report from Divisional Returning Officer.

81. (1) Subject to such directions as are issued by the Chief Electoral Officer, the Commonwealth Electoral Officer shall, upon the receipt from a Divisional Returning Officer of the documents mentioned in the last preceding regulation, consider all the facts, and if satisfied that the elector concerned has failed to vote at the election without a valid and sufficient reason for that failure, he may make an order imposing upon that elector a penalty not exceeding Two pounds, and notify the Divisional Returning Officer thereof and of the time allowed for payment.

(2) Any penalty imposed by the Commonwealth Electoral Officer in pursuance of this regulation shall be a debt due to the Commonwealth, and in default of payment within the time allowed, may be recovered in accordance with the provisions of regulation 82 of these Regulations.

[Electoral and Referendum Regulations, 82—85]

(3) The Chief Electoral Officer may review any order made by a Commonwealth Electoral Officer in pursuance of this regulation, and may, if he is of opinion that the circumstances justify such action, remit the penalty imposed by the order.

Notification of imposition of penalty. Section 12a, sub-section (12)

82. (1) The Divisional Returning Officer, upon receipt of advice from the Commonwealth Electoral Officer that a penalty has been imposed upon any elector for a contravention of paragraph (a) of sub-section (12) of section 128a of the Act, may appropriate the deposit or portion thereof in payment of the penalty, shall notify the elector, in accordance with Form 42 of the amount of the penalty, and refund to the elector the balance, if any, of the deposit.

Proceedings in a Court of Summary Jurisdiction.

83. Subject to such directions as are issued by the Commonwealth Electoral Officer, the Divisional Returning Officer shall—

(a) if he is satisfied that there has been a contravention of paragraph (a) of sub-section (12) of section 128a of the Act by an elector, and the elector has not within the time allowed, intimated that he consents to the matter being dealt with by the Commonwealth Electoral Officer, and deposited the sum specified in sub-regulation (2) of regulation 80 of these Regulations; or

(b) if he is satisfied that there has been a contravention of paragraph (b) of sub-section (12) of section 128a of the Act by an elector; or

(c) if he is satisfied that there has been a contravention of paragraph (c) of sub-section (12) of section 128a of the Act by an elector,

forthwith cause proceedings to be taken against the elector in a Court of Summary Jurisdiction.

Proceedings in Court on failure of elector to vote.

84. (1) In any proceedings which are instituted in a Court of Summary Jurisdiction, pursuant to paragraph (a) of the last preceding regulation, the Divisional Returning Officer shall send to the Court the elector’s reply, if any, stating his reason for having failed to vote.

(2) The Court shall, whether the defendant is present or not, consider the contents of the reply as if it were given in evidence before the Court.

(3) If the defendant attends the Court, and sets up a defence differing in substance from the statement contained in his reply, the Court shall, if it dismisses the information, do so without awarding the defendant the costs of his defence.

(4) A copy of this regulation shall be printed on the back of the form of summons.

Proceedings in Court on failure of elector to send reply to Divisional Returning Officer’s notification.

85. (1) In any proceedings in a Court of Summary Jurisdiction against an elector for a contravention of paragraph (b) of sub-section (12) of section 128a of the Act, there shall be served on the defendant a notice that the defendant may attend the Court and answer the charge in person, or may, at any time, not less than seven days before the date fixed for the hearing, lodge with or send by post to the prosecuting officer a statutory declaration setting out any matter which

[Electoral and Referendum Regulations, 85—87]

he desires to set out in answer to the charge, and that, unless the prosecuting officer withdraws the charge, the declaration will be sent to the Court for consideration of the matter set out therein as if it were given in evidence before the Court, subject to any evidence in reply adduced by the prosecuting officer. The notice may be printed or written on the summons or may be by separate document served therewith.

(2) Where a statutory declaration is received by the prosecuting officer, in pursuance of the last preceding sub-regulation, he shall, as far as it is practicable for him to do so, inquire into the truth of the statements therein set out, and shall, unless he withdraws the prosecution, bring the declaration to the notice of the Court.

(3) The Court shall, at the hearing of the case, consider the statutory declaration (whether the defendant is present or not) as if the matter therein set out were given in evidence before it, but if the defendant attends the Court, and sets up a defence differing in substance from the statement contained in his declaration, the Court shall, if it dismisses the prosecution, do so without awarding the defendant the costs of his defence.

(4) The Court may, in its discretion, on the application of the prosecuting officer, adjourn the hearing for any period it thinks fit, to enable that officer to answer the declaration.

Evidence in Court of Summary Jurisdiction.

86. (1) In any prosecution in a Court of Summary Jurisdiction in respect of any contravention of sub-paragraphs (a) or (b) of subsection (12) of section 128a of the Act, the prosecuting officer may lodge with the Court a statutory declaration in accordance with Form 43, together with a certified extract in accordance with Form 44, and it shall not then be necessary for him to attend at the hearing.

(2) Where a statutory declaration and certified extract have been lodged as provided by this regulation, and the prosecuting officer is not present at the hearing the Court shall proceed with the hearing and determination of the case in his absence, and shall consider the statutory declaration and certified extract as if the matter set out therein had been given in evidence before it, and shall, notwithstanding the absence of the prosecuting officer, permit evidence to be given for the prosecution of any witness who is summoned by, or attends on behalf of, the prosecuting officer.

(3) For the purposes of this regulation any document purporting to be a statutory declaration shall be accepted as such by the Court without proof of the signature thereon or proof of the authority of the person before whom it purports to have been made to take statutory declarations.

Division 12.—Miscellaneous.

Preservation of documents. Sec. 218.

87. All ballot-papers, certified copies of the Roll for the Division, Lists of Voters, Forms of Declaration, and Postal Vote Certificates used at an election or referendum shall, after the scrutiny is completed, be sealed up by the officer who conducted the scrutiny. Each Assistant Returning Officer shall transmit, in properly indorsed fastened and sealed parcels, all ballot-papers scrutinized by him and all certified lists of voters used within that portion of the Division in which he exercises his powers, to the Divisional

[Electoral and Referendum Regulations, 88—91]

Returning Officer for the Division, who shall be responsible for the safe custody of these documents until the authority of the Chief Electoral Officer has been obtained for their destruction.

Authorized official inquiry.

88. (1) Subject to sub-regulation (4) of this regulation, the Commonwealth Electoral Officer or the Divisional Returning Officer in whose custody any sealed parcels are retained pursuant to the Act or the Regulations, may, for the purposes of any authorized official inquiry (including the preparation of any List in accordance with sub-section (2) of section 128a of the Act), if so directed by the Chief Electoral Officer, open any parcel in his custody containing any certified list of voters, or any certified copy of the roll used at the scrutiny of absent votes, or at the scrutiny of postal votes, or containing any declarations used for the purpose of absent voting or voting pursuant to section 91a, 115 (3), 121, or 121a, or any postal vote certificates, and may take out and examine the certified list or certified copy of the roll or any declaration or postal vote certificate, and take a copy thereof.

(2) In the case of a certified list or certified copy of a roll he shall forthwith replace it in a parcel, and fasten, seal, and indorse the parcel as required by the Chief Electoral Officer.

(3) Any declarations or postal vote certificates which have, in pursuance of this regulation, been taken out of a sealed parcel may be retained by the Commonwealth Electoral Officer or the Divisional Returning Officer or dealt with in the manner directed by the Chief Electoral Officer, and upon the attainment of the purpose for which the declarations or postal vote certificates were so retained or dealt with, the Commonwealth Electoral Officer or the Divisional Returning Officer, as the case may be, shall forthwith replace them in a parcel and fasten, seal, and indorse it as required by the Chief Electoral Officer.

(4) Except for the purpose of the preparation of a list in accordance with sub-section (2) of section 128a of the Act no sealed parcel containing declarations or postal vote certificates shall be opened in pursuance of this regulation until any election or referendum to which the contents of that parcel relate can no longer be questioned.

(5) A Commonwealth Electoral Officer or Divisional Returning Officer who opens a sealed parcel in pursuance of this regulation shall not mark, alter, or in any way deface, or permit any other person to mark, alter, or deface, any document taken out of the parcel, and shall be responsible for every such document being replaced in the same condition as when it was taken out.

Fee for inspection of candidate’s return. Sec. 151.

89. The fee to be paid for an inspection of the return, and the receipted bills of particulars, of a candidate’s electoral expenses shall be 2s. 6d.

Return under s. 152 of Act. Sec. 152.

90. (1) The return to be made by a trades union, registered or unregistered, organization, association, league, body of persons, or person, under Section 152 of the Act shall be in accordance with Form 45.

(2) Every return filed in pursuance of Section 152 of the Act shall be open to public inspection during ordinary office hours, on payment of a fee of One shilling.

Notice under s. 152 (8) of Act. Sec. 152.

91. The notice by the Chief Electoral Officer under Section 152 (8) of the Act may be in accordance with Form 46.

[Electoral and Referendum Regulations, 92—98]

[Referendum Regulations, 99—101]

Return under s. 153 of Act. Sec. 153.

92. (1) The return to be made by the proprietor or publisher of a newspaper under Section 153 of the Act shall be in accordance with Form 47.

(2) Every return filed in pursuance of Section 153 of the Act shall be open to public inspection during ordinary office hours on payment of a fee of One shilling.

Offence for which no penalty prescribed.

93. Any person who is convicted of an offence against these Regulations for which no penalty is provided shall be liable to a penalty not exceeding Two pounds.

Use of forms which are not prescribed.

94. Where any action is required to be taken under the Act or these Regulations by an officer, and no form is prescribed for use in connexion with such action, the officer may use such form as is approved by the Chief Electoral Officer.

Withdrawal of consent to nomination. Sec. 89.

95. The notice of withdrawal by a Candidate of his consent to nomination may be in accordance with Form 48 and shall be signed by the Candidate in the presence of the officer with whom the nomination was lodged or of a Justice of the Peace.

Endorsement by Divisional Returning Officer on the copy of Senate Writ.

96. The endorsement to be made by a Divisional Returning Officer on the copy of the Writ for a Senate election shall be in accordance with Form 49.

Amendment of Form in Schedule to the Act.

97. Form A in the schedule to the Act is amended by omitting the words “the office of the Common-wealth Electoral Officer” and inserting in their stead the words: “(here insert name of building).

Strict compliance with forms in the schedule not required.

98. Strict compliance with the forms in the schedule shall not be required, and substantial compliance shall suffice for the purposes of these Regulations.

Part IV.—Referendum.

Official mark.

99. The official mark for the authentication of referendum ballot-papers shall be the official mark prescribed for electoral ballot-papers.

Referendum in Divisions where no electoral poll taken.

100. When the day fixed for the taking of the votes of the electors for the purposes of a referendum is the same as that fixed for the polling at a Senate election or a general election for the House of Representatives, and no poll is taken in any particular Division for the purposes of the election—

(а) the forms in these Regulations may be modified so far as is necessary to enable them to apply, as regards that Division, to the referendum only, and

(b) any forms under these Regulations may, as regards that Division, be deemed to refer to the referendum only.

Destruction of ballot-papers.

101. When the validity of any referendum can no longer be questioned the Chief Electoral Officer may, subject to the provisions of the Referendum (Constitution Alteration) Act in force for the time being, authorize the destruction of the ballot-papers used for voting at the referendum.

[Electoral Referendums, 102—104]

Return by trade union, organization, &c.

102. (1) The return to be made by a trades union, registered or unregistered, organization, association, league, body of persons, or person, under Section 35 of the Referendum (Constitution Alteration) Act shall be in accordance with Form 50.

(2) Every return filed in pursuance of Section 35 of the Referendum (Constitution Alteration) Act shall be open to public inspection during ordinary office hours, on payment of a fee of One shilling.

Notice to trade unions, &c., requiring return.

103. The notice by the Chief Electoral Officer under Section 35 (9) of the Referendum (Constitution Alteration) Act may be in accordance with Form 51.

Return by newspaper proprietors.

104. (1) The return to be made by the proprietor or publisher of a newspaper under Section 36 of the Referendum (Constitution Alteration) Act shall be in accordance with Form 52.

(2) Every return filed in pursuance of Section 36 of the Referendum (Constitution Alteration) Act shall be open to public inspection during ordinary office hours, on payment of a fee of One shilling.

THE SCHEDULE.

——

Form. 1. Regulation 6.

19 .

Commonwealth of Australia.

Electoral Roll.

State of [here insert name of State].

Division of [here insert name of Division].

Roll of Electors for the Subdivision of [here insert name of Subdivision].

No., Name in Full, Place of Living, Occupation, and Sex of each Elector.

[Here follow Names, &c.]

Footnote—M signifies Male, F signifies Female.

Form 2. Regulation 8 (1).

[Front of Form.]

This form may be used only by a qualified person, not under the age of 21 years, (a) when claiming enrolment or transfer of enrolment, or (b) when notifying a change of address within the same subdivision or applying for the correction of any particulars of an existing enrolment.

Commonwealth of Australia.

The Commonwealth Electoral Act.

Electoral Claim.

To the Electoral Registrar for the Subdivision of—

Division of— State of—

1. I am an inhabitant of Australia and have lived therein for six months continuously.

2. I am a natural-born or naturalized subject of the King, am not under the age of 21 years, and am qualified to be enrolled as an elector.

3. I claim to have my name and particulars for enrolment, as set out on the back hereof, placed on the Electoral Roll for the Subdivision of

in which I now live and have lived for a period of not less than one month immediately preceding the date of this Claim.

4. My name is at present enrolled for the Subdivision of the Division of  in respect of the following address in that Subdivision, namely:—

[If NOT already enrolled, strike out paragraph 4.]

I declare that the whole of the statements made in this Claim (including those set forth on the back hereof) are true to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Personal Signature of Claimant—

Dated the day of 19

I, the undersigned, being an elector or person qualified to be an elector of the Commonwealth, certify that I have seen the above-named Claimant sign the above Claim, and that I either know the statements contained in the Claim to be true or have satisfied myself by inquiry of the Claimant or otherwise that the said statements are true.

(Penalty on witness for failure to fully comply with this requirement—£50.)

Personal Signature of Witness in own handwriting—

Occupation—

Place of living—

The signature of the Claimant must be his personal signature. If unable to sign his name in his own handwriting, he may make his mark as his signature, but such signature must be made in the presence of the person who signs as witness.

N.B.—An elector may only have his name placed upon the Roll for the Subdivision in which he lives. A map and description of the boundaries of the Subdivision may be inspected at, and Electoral Forms for public use may be obtained from, any Post Office.

C.15674.—3

Regulation 8 (1)—continued.

[Bach of Form.]

Particulars for Enrolment.

Surname—

Christian Names—

(in full).

Place of Living—

(Full address, including name and street number, if any, of habitation).

(Occupation— Sex—

Date and Year of Birth— Place of Birth—

(Including Country).

Former Surname*—

* To be filled in only in the case of a woman who has changed her name by marriage since her last enrolment.

Personal Signature of Claimant—

Form 3. Regulation 9 (1).

Commonwealth of Australia.

The Commonwealth Electoral Act.

State of—

Electoral Division of— Subdivision of—

Acknowledgment and Intimation to Elector is Relation to Enrolment, Transfer of Enrolment, or Correction or Alteration of Enrolment.

To—

* Your name has been enrolled for the abovenamed Subdivision pursuant to your claim dated

* Your change of place of living within the abovenamed Subdivision as set out in your notification dated              has been noted in the Roll.

*Your enrolment for the abovenamed Subdivision has been corrected pursuant to your notification dated

You are informed, for your future guidance, that if you change your place of living from the address in the Subdivision for which you are enrolled to another address in the same Subdivision and fail within 21 days after making such change to notify the Electoral Registrar for the Subdivision of your new address, in the prescribed form, or that if you change your place of living to any other Subdivision, and after you have lived in that Subdivision for a period of one month fail within the next ensuing 21 days to send or deliver to the Electoral Registrar for the Subdivision a claim for transfer of enrolment in the prescribed form, such failure will render you liable, under the provisions of the Commonwealth Electoral Act, to a penalty not exceeding £2 (Two pounds).

Electoral Registrar for the Subdivision of—

Address—

Dated the day of 19 ,

Note.An elector who is only temporarily absent from his place of living, although the period of such absence may exceed one month, is not thereby deemed to have changed his place of living for the purposes of transfer of enrolment, or change of address on the Roll.

* The Registrar will strike out whichever of these paragraphs are not applicable to the case.

 


Form 4. Regulation 10.

Commonwealth of Australia.

The Commonwealth Electoral Act.

State of—

Notification of Transfer of Enrolment.

To the Electoral Registrar for the Subdivision of  Division of—

You are requested to remove from the Roll for the abovementioned Subdivision the name of each elector set out in Column 1 herein, on the ground that the elector has now been enrolled by me, in pursuance of a claim for transfer of enrolment, for the Subdivision specified in Column 2 opposite the elector’s name.

(1)

Particulars appearing in claim for transfer received by me.

(2)

Subdivision for which Elector has now been enrolled.

(3)

Address of Elector in Subdivision Roll kept by you as set out in Paragraph 4 of claim for transfer received by me.

(4)

(To be filled in by Registrar to whom notification addressed.)

S urname.

Christian Names (in full).

Occupation.

Sex.

Name removed (date).

Elector’s Number on Roll (if name in print) or Date of Enrolment (If name in manuscript).

Remarks.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electoral Registrar for the Subdivision (or Subdivisions) specified in Column 2.

Electoral Division of

Dated the day of  19 .

Received (date)—

Acted upon and forwarded to Divisional Returning Officer (date)—

Signature of Registrar—

————————————————

Form 5. Regulation 11 (2).

Commonwealth of Australia.

The Commonwealth Electoral Act.

State of—

Electoral Division of—

Notification to Claimant of Reference of Electoral Claim.

To—

As I am not satisfied that you are entitled to be enrolled in pursuance of your claim, dated the , I am referring the claim to the Divisional Returning Officer for his decision.

Upon receipt of the Divisional Returning Officer’s decision you will be duly notified in accordance therewith.

Electoral Registrar for the Subdivision of—

Address—

Dated the day of 19 .

Form 6. Regulation 12 (2).

Commonwealth of Australia.

The Commonwealth Electoral Act.

State of—

Electoral Division of—

Notification to Claimant of Rejection of Electoral Claim.

To—

You are hereby notified that your claim to be enrolled on the Electoral Roll for the  Subdivision of the abovenamed Division has been rejected by the Divisional Returning Officer on the ground that [here specify reason, for rejection].

You are entitled, at any time within one calendar month after the receipt of this notification, to appeal to a court of summary jurisdiction for an order directing that your name may be added to the Roll.

Electoral Registrar for the Subdivision of—

Address—

Dated the day of 19

Form 7. Regulation 13.

Commonwealth of Australia.

The Commonwealth Electoral Act.

State of—

Electoral Division of—

Notification to Claimant of Formal Defect in Electoral Claim.

To—

Your claim to be enrolled on the Electoral Roll for the   Subdivision of the abovenamed Division is defective by reason of [here set out nature of defect].

* The Claim is forwarded herewith for completion or correction, and return to me without delay.

* Please complete the accompanying fresh form of Claim and return it to me without delay.

Electoral Registrar for the Subdivision of—

Address—

Dated the day of 19 .

* The Registrar will strike out whichever of these paragraphs is not applicable to the case.

Form 8. Regulation 14

Commonwealth of Australia.

The Commonwealth Electoral Act. Consecutive No.

State of

Certificate authorizing Removal of Names of Electors from Roll.

To the Divisional Returning Officer for the Division of

I certify that each elector named in Column (1) has ceased to be qualified for enrolment on the Roll for the Subdivision specified in Column (2) opposite his name, and has secured enrolment for the Subdivision specified in Column (3) opposite his name.

(1)

Surname, Christian Names, Place of Living, Occupation and Sex.

(2)

Subdivision for which Elector has ceased to be entitled to be enrolled.

(3)

Subdivision and Division for which Elector has now been enrolled.

(4)

(To be filled in by Registrar.)

Name removed (date).

Form 9 issued (date).

Elector’s Number on Roll (if name in print) or Date of Enrolment (if name in manuscript).

Remarks.

Subdivision.

Division.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commonwealth Electoral Officer for the State of

Date / / 19 .

Received (date)—

Acted upon and returned to Divisional Returning Officer (date)—

Signature of Registrar—

To the Electoral Registrar

for the Subdivision or Subdivisions specified

in Column (2) above.

You are directed to remove the name of each of the abovenamed electors from the Roll on which it appears, as specified in Column (2), and to forthwith notify the elector in Form 9. You will specify in Column (4) the action taken by you, and return this form to me for transmission to the Commonwealth Electoral Officer.

Divisional Returning Officer

Date / / 19 .

Form 9. Regulation 15.

Commonwealth of Australia.

The Commonwealth Electoral Act.

State of

Notification of Removal of Name from Roll under the Provisions of Section 47 (1) (h) of the Commonwealth Electoral Act.

To

[The full Christian names and surname to be inserted].

Occupation—

Address—

[as appearing on the Roll for the Subdivision from which the name has been removed].

Your name has been removed from the Electoral Roll for the

Subdivision of the Division of

on the ground that you have changed your place of living and have secured enrolment for the  Subdivision of the Division of

If you desire to make any representations in regard to this matter, your communication may be written in the space provided for the purpose at the foot of this form, and should be sent to the Commonwealth Electoral Officer for the State of

Electoral Registrar

for the Subdivision of

Date / / 19 .

 

Reply (if any).

Personal Signature of Elector

Present place of living

Witness to Signature

(Being an elector or person qualified to be an elector).

Occupation

Place of living

Dated the day of 19

Form 10. Regulation 16.

Commonwealth of Australia.

The Commonwealth Electoral Act.

Notification of Change of Enrolment consequent upon Alteration of Boundaries of Divisions or Subdivisions.

To—

You are hereby informed that your name has in accordance with the provisions of Section 28 of the Act been removed from the Roll for the              Subdivision of the Electoral Division of              and has been placed on the Roll for the              Subdivision of the Electoral Division of

Electoral Registrar for the Subdivision of

or

Commonwealth Electoral Officer for the State of—

(as the case requires).

Address—

Dated the day of 19 .

Form 11. Regulation 17.

[Form to be used by the Electoral Registrar when notifying the Divisional Returning Officer of the names of persons who have failed to comply with the requirements of the Commonwealth Electoral Act in relation to compulsory enrolment.]

Commonwealth of Australia.

The Commonwealth Electoral Act.

State of—

To the Divisional Returning Officer for the Electoral Division of—

I hereby declare that I have made due inquiry and am satisfied that the persona specified in the Schedule hereto are entitled to enrolment under the Commonwealth Electoral Act and Regulations; that such persons have their places of living in the              Subdivision, and have lived therein for a period of one month; that a period of twenty-one days has elapsed since such persons became entitled to enrolment, and that they have failed to comply with the requirements of the law in relation to the compulsory enrolment of electors.

Electoral Registrar for the Subdivision of—

Dated the day of 19

–––

Schedule.

List of Persons entitled to Enrolment for the Subdivision who after the lapse or Twenty-one Days have failed to comply with the requirements of the Law in relation to Compulsory Enrolment.

Surname.

Christian Names in full.

Place of Living.

Occupation.

Sex.

Remarks.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Form 12. Regulation 18.

Commonwealth of Australia.

The Commonwealth Electoral Act.

State of Electoral Division of

Notification to a Person alleged to have failed to comply with the Requirements of Section 42 [here insert number of sub-section] of the Commonwealth Electoral Act.

To

You are hereby notified that from information laid before me, it would appear that on the day of               19     , at                                                        in the said State [here insert nature of contravention alleged], and I do therefore allege that you have contravened the provisions of Section 42 [here insert number of sub-section] of the Commonwealth Electoral Act.

A contravention of the section mentioned is punishable under the Commonwealth Electoral Act by a penalty not exceeding ten shillings for a first offence and not exceeding two pounds for any subsequent offence.

Form 12—continued.

You have the option of having the alleged contravention dealt with by the Commonwealth Electoral Officer for the State (thus avoiding costs of Court) or by a Court of Summary Jurisdiction.

If you desire to have the matter dealt with by the Commonwealth Electoral Offices, you must fill in and sign, in the presence of a Police, Stipendiary, or Special Magistrates or a Justice of the Peace, or a Commissioner for taking Declarations or Affidavits, the form of consent at the foot of the Statutory Declaration attached, and send it or deliver it to me so as to reach me not later than the                            day of                            19                  .

If you desire to answer the allegation you may send or deliver to me, so as to reach me not later than the              day of              19              , a statutory declaration in the attached form setting out any facts relevant to the matter.

If it be decided to proceed with the case and you have forwarded within the specified time your consent to the matter being dealt with by the Commonwealth Electoral Officer, your declaration will be considered by him. If you have not consented within the specified time to the matter being dealt with by the Commonwealth Electoral Officer your declaration will be forwarded to the Court by which your case is to be dealt with.

Dated the day of 19  .

Divisional Returning Officer

for the Division of

 

Form 13. Regulation 19.

Commonwealth of Australia.

The Commonwealth Electoral Act.

State of Electoral Division of

Consent of Person alleged to have failed to comply with the Requirements of Section 42 [here insert number of sub-section] of the Act to the matter being dealt with by the Commonwealth Electoral Officer for the State.

To the Divisional Returning Officer

for the Division of

I, of

having received from you a notification alleging that I have contravened the provisions of Section 42 [here insert number of sub-section] of the Commonwealth Electoral Act, hereby consent to have the matter dealt with by the Commonwealth Electoral Officer for the State, and I undertake to abide by his decision thereon, and to pay the amount of the penalty (if any) that he may impose.

(Personal Signature)

(Address)

(Date) / /

Witness—

This form must be signed in the presence of, and attested by, a Police, Stipendiary or Special Magistrate or a Justice of the Peace, or a Commissioner for taking Declarations or Affidavits.

Form 14. Regulation 22.

Commonwealth of Australia.

The Commonwealth Electoral Act.

State of Electoral Division of

Notification of Penalty imposed by Commonwealth Electoral officer for contravention of Section 42 [here insert number of sub-section] of Commonwealth Electoral Act.

To

You are informed that pursuant to your notification of consent dated the  day of  19     , the Commonwealth Electoral Officer for the State has dealt with the matter of your contravention of Section 42 [here insert number of sub-section] of the Commonwealth Electoral Act and that he has imposed upon you a penalty of

You are hereby required to pay the amount to me not later than the day of  19 .

The amount may be paid at my office in cash or may be remitted to me by Postal Note or Money Order, made payable to the Divisional Returning Officer for the Division of                            . Upon payment of the penalty an official receipt will be handed to you or forthwith sent to you by post.

Unless you comply with the requirements of this notification within the time allowed herein, steps will be taken to recover the penalty in a court of summary jurisdiction.

Divisional Returning Officer

for the Division of

(Address)

(Date)

 

Form 15. Regulation 26 (1).

[Form to be used by an Elector for the same Electoral Subdivision or by an Officer (not being a Registrar) when lodging an objection.]

Commonwealth of Australia.

The Commonwealth Electoral Act.

State of—

Electoral Division of—

Notice of Objection.

To the Divisional Returning Officer for the Electoral Division of—

I object to the name of

No. on Roll.

Surname.

Christian Names at full length.

Place of Living as appearing on Roll.

Occupation.

Place of Abode for time being, if known to the objector.

 

 

 

 

 

 

being retained on the Electoral Roll for the Subdivision of the Division of              on the ground

that [here insert ground of objection].

(Signature)—

(Occupation)—

(Address)—

Dated the day of 19

Form 16. Regulation 26 (2).

[Form to be used by a Registrar when lodging objections to the retention of names on the Subdivision Roll kept by him.]

[Front of Form.]

Commonwealth of Australia.

The Commonwealth Electoral Act

State of

Electoral Division of— Subdivision of

Notice of Objection.

To the Divisional Returning Officer

I object to each undermentioned name being retained on the Electoral Roll for the abovenamed Subdivision on the ground [here insert ground of objection].

Registrar for the Subdivision of—

Dated day of 19 .

Person Objected to.

Place of Living as appearing on Roll.

Occupation.

Place of Abode for time being, if known to Registrar.

Registrar’s Initials.

No. on Roll.

Surname.

Christian Names at full length.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Note.This form must be prepared in triplicate, one form retained by the Registrar and the other two furnished to the Divisional Returning Officer.

[Back of Form.]

Indorsement by Divisional Returning Offices.

(1) Notices of Objection posted by Divisional Returning Officer to persons objected to 

(2) Date of expiration of period allowed for answers to objections. (See Sec. 57) 

(3) Answers received from—

 

 

 

 

 

Notification to the Registrar for the Subdivision

(a) Objections sustained excepting as to the following names, viz.:—

 

 

 

 

 

(b) You are hereby directed to forthwith remove from the Roll for the  Subdivision all the names appearing on the within list of objections, with the exception of those mentioned in the foregoing paragraph (a), in which cases the objections have not been sustained.

Divisional Returning Officer for the Division of

All necessary action taken in accordance with the above direction.

Registrar for the Subdivision of—

Form 17. Regulation 27.

[Front of Form.]

Commonwealth of Australia.

The Commonwealth Electoral Act.

State of

Notice of Objection to Person objected to on the Ground of Non-Residence.

To the person objected to, whose name and address appear on the back hereof.

Notice is hereby given that an objection has been lodged with me by [here insert the name and description of the objector] objecting to your name being retained on the Electoral Roll for the Subdivision of [here insert name of Subdivision] of this Division, on the ground that you do not live in the Subdivision and have not so lived for at least one month last past.

You are entitled at any time within twenty days from the posting of this notice to answer the objection either orally or in writing.

If you intend to answer the objection orally you should attend at my Office at [here insert address of office] between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4.30 p.m. on any day other than a Saturday, or between the hours of 9 a.m. and 12 noon on a Saturday, before the expiration of twenty days from the posting of this notice.

If you claim that your place of living is still in the Subdivision, and you do not desire to attend at my office for the purpose of answering this objection orally, you should with the least delay, but before the expiration of twenty days from the posting of this notice—

(a) complete, personally sign, and date the reply at the foot hereof in the presence of a witness; and

(b) fold the notice so that the address “Commonwealth Divisional Returning Officer for the Division of              ” shall be visible, and send or deliver the notice to me with reply attached.

If you have ceased to live in the Subdivision as alleged you need not reply to this objection.

If you answer the objection, notice of the decision on the objection will be sent to you

If you fail to answer the objection within twenty days from the posting of this notice, the objection will be determined, and your name may be struck off the Roll, but no notice of the decision on the objection will be sent to you.

Divisional Returning Officer for the Division of

Postal Address—

Dated the day of 19 .

 

Reply.

(To be completed only if the elector claims that his place of living is still in the Subdivision.)

1. I am the Elector whose enrolment is objected to in this notice.

2. My place of living is still in the Subdivision of [here insert name of Subdivision], for which I retain my qualification for enrolment.

Personal Signature of Elector—

(To be made in presence of Witness.)

Address in Subdivision—

Witness to Signature

(Being an Elector or person qualified to be an Elector.)

Occupation—

Place of Living—

Dated the day of 19 .

Form 17—continued.

[Back of Form.]

Signature and Address of Sender—

Divisional Returning Officer for the Division of

Commonwealth Electoral Post Free.

Papers Only.

M

[Here insert full Christian names and surname, occupation, and place of abode for the time being, if known to the Divisional Returning Officer, or, if not so known, place of living as appearing on Roll.]

 

 

Signature and Address of Sender—

Commonwealth Electoral Post Free.

Papers Only.

The Commonwealth Divisional Returning Officer

for the Division of

Postal Address

 

Form 18. Regulation 28.

[Front of Form.]

Commonwealth of Australia.

The Commonwealth Electoral Act.

State of—

Notice of Objection to Person objected to on a Ground other than that of Non-residence.

To the person objected to, whose name and address appear on the back hereof.

Notice is hereby given that an objection has been lodged with me by [here insert the name and description of the objector] objecting to your name being retained on the Electoral Roll for the Subdivision of [here insert name of Subdivision] of this Division, on the following grounds, namely:—[Here insert grounds of objection.]

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

You are entitled at any time within twenty days from the posting of this notice to answer the objection either orally or in writing.

Form 18—continued.

If you intend to answer the objection orally you should attend at my Office at [here insert address of office] between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4.30 p.m. on any day other than a Saturday, or between the hours of 9 a.m. and 12 noon on a Saturday, before the expiration of twenty days from the posting of this notice.

If you claim that you are qualified for the enrolment objected to, and do not desire to attend at my office for the purpose of answering this objection orally, you should with the least delay, but before the expiration of twenty days from the posting of this notice—

(а) complete, personally sign, and date the reply at the foot hereof in the presence of a witness; and

(b) fold the notice so that the address “Commonwealth Divisional Returning Officer for the Division of              ” shall be visible, and send or deliver the notice to me with reply attached.

If you are not qualified for the enrolment objected to, you need not reply to this objection.

If you answer the objection, notice of the decision on the objection will be sent to you.

If you fail to answer the objection within twenty days from the posting of this notice, the objection will be determined, and your name may be struck off the Roll, but no notice of the decision on the objection will be sent to you.

Divisional Returning Officer for the Division of—

Postal Address—

Dated the day of 19

 

Reply.

(To be completed only if the Elector claims that he is qualified for the enrolment objected to.)

I am the Elector whose enrolment is objected to in this notice, and I claim that I am qualified for such enrolment.

My reasons for so claiming are as follow:—

[Here set forth reasons relied upon as an answer to the objection.]

Personal Signature of Elector—

(To be made in presence of Witness.)

Address in Subdivision—

Witness to Signature—

(Being an Elector or person qualified to be an Elector.)

Occupation—

Place of Living—

Dated the day of 19

Form 18—continued.

[Back of Form.]

Signature and Address of Sender—

Divisional Returning Officer for the Division of

Commonwealth Electoral Post Free.

Papers Only.

M

[Here insert full christian names and surname, occupation, and place of abode for the time being, if known to the Divisional Returning Officer, or, if not so known, place of living as appearing on Roll.]

 

 

Signature and Address of Sender—

Commonwealth Electoral Post Free.

Papers Only.

The Commonwealth Divisional Returning Officer

for the Division of

Postal Address

 

Form 19. Regulation 31.

Commonwealth of Australia.

The Commonwealth Electoral Act.

Notice of Determination of Objection.

To—

Notice is hereby given that I have considered the objection lodged by [here set out the name of objector] to the retention of the name of [here set out name of person objected to] on the Electoral Roll for the              Subdivision of the Division of              and have decided—

(a) to remove the said name from the said Electoral Roll;

(b) to dismiss the objection and to retain the said name on the said Electoral Roll.

(Note.—Strike out sub-paragraph (a) or sub-paragraph (b) as the case requires.)

If aggrieved by this decision you may, at any time within one calendar month after the receipt of this notice, appeal against the decision to a court of summary jurisdiction.

Divisional Returning Officer for the Division of—

Dated the day of 19 .

Form 20. Regulation 33.

Commonwealth of Australia.

The Commonwealth Electoral Act.

State of—

Notification by a Candidate in a Senate Election of Desire to have Name Grouped with the Names of other Candidates.

To

The Commonwealth Electoral Officer

for the State of

I, [here insert full Christian names and surname], of , being duly nominated as a candidate in the Senate Election for the State of              to be held on the              day of              192 , do hereby notify you that I desire to have my name included in a group of candidates in the said Élection with the names of [here insert full Christian names and surnames of other candidates in proposed group] and with those names only.

Dated the day of 192  .

Signature of Candidate.

Witness to Signature—

Name

Address

Occupation

an elector or person qualified to be an elector of the Commonwealth.

 

Form 21. Regulation 34.

Commonwealth of Australia.

The Commonwealth Electoral Act.

The Referendum (Constitution Alteration) Act.

Undertaking to be Made by Officers and Scrutineers.

I [here insert name, address, and occupation] do hereby promise and undertake that I will faithfully perform the duties of [here insert name of office held by the person signing undertaking] to the best of my understanding and ability, and that I will not directly or indirectly attempt to influence the vote of any elector, or, except by recording my vote as allowed by law, the result of any election or referendum, and that I will not disclose any knowledge officially acquired by me touching the vote of any elector, except in reply to a question which I am legally bound to answer.

Signature—

Dated the day of 19    .

Witness to signature—

 

Form 22. Regulation 40

This application should be made and sent, after the issue of the Writ for the election to which it relates and before polling day, to the Divisional Returning Officer for the Division for which the elector is enrolled; but if the elector has reason to believe that it may not in the ordinary course of post reach that officer so as to enable him to send a Postal Vote Certificate and Postal Ballot-paper to the elector in time to permit of his voting at the election, the application may, for purposes of expedition, be made and sent to some other Divisional Returning Officer.

An application shall not be deemed to have been duly made, and a Postal vote Certificate or Postal Ballot-paper shall not be issued in respect of it, unless the application reaches the Divisional Returning Officer to whom it is addressed before six o’clock in the afternoon of the day immediately preceding the polling day for the election.

In order that a Postal Ballot-paper may be admitted to the scrutiny the envelope in which it is contained must be received, prior to the close of the Poll, by the Divisional Returning Officer for the Division in respect of which the elector claims to vote.

Commonwealth of Australia.

The Commonwealth Electoral Act.

The Referendum (Constitution Alteration) Act.

Number……………………………

Postal Vote Certificate and Postal Ballot-paper issued / / 19

Initials of the Divisional Returning Officer for the Division of


Form 22—continued.

Application for a Postal Vote Certificate and Postal Ballot-paper.

(1) Here insert name of Division to which application is being seat.

(2) Here insert Christian names, surname, place of living, and occupation as appearing on the Roll.

(3) Here insert name of Subdivision for which enrolled.

(4) Here insert name of Division for which enrolled.

To the Divisional Returning Officer for the Electoral Division of (1)

I, (2) , hereby apply for a Postal Vote Certificate and Postal Ballot-paper (or Postal Ballot-papers) to enable me to vote by post at the next forthcoming Election.

NOTE.—“Election” in this application means a Senate Election, or a House or Representatives Election, or any Referendum (held under the provisions of the Referendum (Constitution Alteration) Act in force for the time being), or all of them, as the case requires.

I declare—

(1) That I am an elector enrolled on the Electoral Roll for the (3) Subdivision of the Division of (4)

(2) That my answers to the following questions are true and correct in every particular:—

Applicant’s Answer.

Question.

(The following question (A) must be answered by the applicant.)

(A) Is your real place of living within the division in respect of which you claim to vote?

(The following question (B) must be answered by the applicant if his answer to question (A) is in the negative.)

(B) Are you temporarily living elsewhere than in the Division in respect of which yon claim to vote, with a fixed intention of returning to your place of living in that Division for the purpose of continuing to live therein?

(The following question (C) must be answered by the applicant if his answer to question (B) is in the negative.)

(C) Did you at any time since securing the enrolment for the Division in respect of which you claim to vote and before the commencement of the period of twenty-one days before the issue of the writ for the election in respect of which you claim to vote become entitled to be enrolled in respect of any other Division?

(3) That the ground on which I apply to vote by post is—

(а) That I will not throughout the hours of polling on polling day be within the State for which I am enrolled;

(b) That I will not throughout the hours of polling on polling day be within ten miles by the nearest practicable route of any polling booth open in the State for which I am enrolled for the purposes of an election;

(c) That I will throughout the hours of poling on polling day fee travelling under conditions which will preclude me from voting at any polling booth in the State for which I am enrolled;

(d) That I am seriously ill or infirm, and by reason of such illness or infirmity will be precluded from attending at any polling booth to vote;

(e) That I will, by approaching maternity, be precluded from attending at any polling booth to vote.

Note.—The elector will strike out any or the above grounds which do not apply to his or her particular case.

(4) That my place of living at the time when the postal vote certificate and the postal ballot-paper (or postal ballot-papers) would be delivered in the ordinary course of post, will be as follows:—

……………………………………………………

…………………………………………..


Form 22—continued.

An elector shall not make, and a person shall not induce an elector to make, any false statement in an application for a Postal Vote Certificate and a Postal Ballot-paper, or in the declaration contained in such application.

PENALTY: Fifty pounds, or imprisonment for one month.

Signed by the elector in his own handwriting in my presence—

Signature of Authorized Witness—

.......................

(in own handwriting).

Title under which witness acts as Authorized Witness.)

Signature of Elector—

.....................

(in own handwriting).

Address—

Dated at the day of 19 .

Obligations of Authorized witnesses.

An authorized witness shall not witness the signature of any elector to an application for a Postal Vote Certificate and Postal Ballot-paper unless—

(a) he has satisfied himself as to the identity of the applicant;

(b) he has seen the applicant sign the application in his (the applicant’s) own handwriting; and

(c) he knows that the statements contained in the application are true, or has satisfied himself by inquiry from the applicant or otherwise that the statements contained in the application are true.

Penalty: Fifty pounds, or imprisonment for one month.

An authorized witness shall not persuade or induce, or associate himself with any person in persuading or inducing, any person to make application for a Postal Vote Certificate and Postal Ballot-paper.

Penalty: Fifty pounds, or imprisonment for one month.

The authorized witness shall sign his name in his own handwriting on the application in the space provided for the purpose, and shall add the title under which he acts as an Authorized Witness, and the date.

The following persons are authorized witnesses, namely:—[Here insert the List of Persons who are prescribed to be authorized witnesses.]

No person who is a candidate at any election shall be an authorized witness at that election.

Form 23. Regulation 41.

Commonwealth of Australia. No.

The Commonwealth Electoral Act.

The Referendum (Constitution Alteration) Act.

Postal Vote Certificate.

I hereby certify that  of     is entitled (subject to the provisions of the Commonwealth Electoral Act), to vote by post in respect of the Division of              State of                                                                      at the Senate Election or House of Representatives Election, or any Referendum, to be held on Saturday, the               day of                            19              , or all of them, as the case requires.

Divisional Returning Officer for the Electoral Division of

Dated this day of 19

Signed by the Voter (in his own handwriting) in my presence—

Signature of Authorized Witness (in his own handwriting)—

Title under which Witness acts as Authorized Witness—

Signature of Voter (in his own handwriting)—

Address—

Date 19

Authorized Witnesses.—The following persons are authorized witnesses, namely:—[Here insert the List of Persons who are prescribed to be authorized witnesses.]

No person who is a candidate at any election shall be an authorized witness at that election.

Notes.—(1) The attention of the Voter and authorized witness is specially directed to the necessity of strictly observing the instructions indorsed on the back of each postal ballot-paper, and to the fact that this envelope containing the postal ballot-paper or postal ballot-papers (after having been marked by the voter) must be forthwith posted or delivered to the Divisional Returning Officer to whom it is addressed, by the Voter, or by the person to whom it is entrusted by the Voter for the purpose of posting or delivery.

(2) Any person to whom an envelope containing or purporting to contain a postal ballot-paper or postal ballot-papers is entrusted by a voter for the purpose of posting or delivery to a Divisional Returning Officer, and who fails to forthwith post or deliver the envelope, shall be guilty of an offence.

Penalty: Fifty pounds, or imprisonment for One month.

Form 24. Regulation 42 (1)

[Front of Form.]

The elector should carefully read the directions for his guidance printed on the back of this ballot-paper, and in particular note that he must not mark his vote thereon until after he has first exhibited the ballot-paper (unmarked) to the authorized witness.

Commonwealth of Australia.

State of [here insert name of State]

The Commonwealth Electoral Act.

 

Election of [here insert number] Senators

 

POSTAL BALLOT-PAPER.

Candidates.

A

 

..........................................................

 

 

 

A

 

..........................................................

 

 

 

A

 

..........................................................

 

 

 

B

 

..........................................................

 

 

 

B

 

..........................................................

 

 

 

B

 

..........................................................

 

 

 

C

 

..........................................................

 

 

 

C

 

..........................................................

 

 

 

 

 

..........................................................

 

 

 

 

 

..........................................................

NOTE.—The letter “A” or “B” or “C” &c., appearing before the square opposite a candidate’s surname, indicates that that candidate and each other candidate who has the same letter appearing before the square opposite his surname have been grouped by mutual consent. The fact that no letter appears before the square opposite a candidate’s surname indicates that the name of that candidate has not been included in any group.

Form 24continued.

[Back of Form.]

Directions to Elector and Authorized Witness.

(а) The elector shall exhibit his unmarked postal ballot-paper and his postal vote certificate to the authorized witness.

(b) The elector shall then and there, in the presence of the authorized witness, sign his name in his own handwriting on the postal vote certificate, in the place provided for the signature of the voter.

(c) The authorized witness shall then and there sign his name in his own handwriting on the postal vote certificate in the place provided for the signature of the authorized witness, and shall add the title ander which be acts as an authorized witness and the date.

(d) The elector shall then and there, in the presence of the authorized witness, but so that the authorized witness cannot see the vote, mark his vote on this ballot-paper by placing in the squares respectively opposite the names of at least……………….candidates the numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, and so on, up to and inclusive of the number…………….., so as to indicate the order of his preference for such candidates, and, if there are any more candidates, may in addition indicate the order of his preference for as many of them as he please by placing in the squares respectively opposite their names other numbers next in numerical order after those already used by him, and shall fold the ballot-paper so that the vote cannot be seen, and hand it so folded to the authorized witness.

(e) The authorized witness shall then and there place the ballot-paper in the envelope addressed to the Divisional Returning Officer, fasten the envelope, and hand it to the voter, who shall forthwith post or deliver it, or cause it to be posted or delivered, to the Divisional Returning Officer.

(f) If the elector’s sight is so impaired that he cannot vote without assistance, the authorized witness, if so requested by the elector, shall mark the elector’s vote on the ballot-paper in the presence of a witness, direct the witness that he must refrain from disclosing any knowledge of the vote of the elector, and shall then and there fold the ballot-paper so that the vote cannot be seen, place the ballot-paper in the envelope addressed to the Divisional Returning Officer, fasten the envelope, and hand it to the voter, who shall forthwith post or deliver it, or cause it to be posted or delivered, to the Divisional Returning Officer.

Further Directions to Authorized Witness.

The authorized witness shall not, unless the elector’s sight is so impaired that he cannot vote without assistance, look at or make himself acquainted with the vote gives by the elector, and, except as provided in paragraph (f) of the preceding Directions, shall not suffer or permit any person (other than the elector) to see or become acquainted with the elector’s vote, or to assist the elector to vote, or to interfere in any way with the elector in relation to his vote.

Every authorized witness shall

(a) comply with the preceding directions in so far as they are to be complied with on his part;

(b) see that the preceding directions are complied with by every elector voting by post before him, and by every person present when the elector votes; and

(c) refrain from disclosing any knowledge of the vote of any elector voting by post before him.

Penalty: One hundred pounds, or imprisonment for three months.

Duty of Persons Present when an Elector Votes by Post.

Any person present when an elector is before an authorized witness for the purpose of voting by post shall

(а) obey all directions of the authorized witness;

(b) refrain from making any communication whatever to the elector in relation to his vote;

(c) refrain from assisting the elector or in any manner interfering with him in relation to his vote;

(d) except as provided in paragraph (f) of the Directions to Elector and Authorised Witness, refrain from looking at the elector’s vote or from doing anything whereby he might become acquainted with the elector’s vote.

Penalty: One hundred pounds, or imprisonment for three months.

Form 24—continued.

Penalty for Unlawfully marking Ballot-paper.

No person other than—

(a) an elector to whom a postal ballot-paper has been issued; or

(b) an authorized witness, acting in pursuance of paragraph (f) of the Directions to Elector and Authorized Witness, assisting an elector whose sight is so impaired that he cannot vote without assistance,

shall mark a vote upon a postal ballot-paper.

Penalty: One hundred pounds, or imprisonment for six months.

 

Form 25. Regulation 42 (3).

[Front of Form.]

The elector should carefully read the directions for his guidance printed on the back of this ballot-paper, and in particular note that he must not mark his vote thereon until after he has first exhibited the ballot-paper (unmarked) to the authorized witness.

Commonwealth of Australia.

State of [here insert name of State].

The Commonwealth Electoral Act.

Electoral Division of—

 

Election of One Member of the House of Representatives.

 

POSTAL BALLOT-PAPER.

Candidates.

 

………………………………………………………………………………………………

 

………………………………………………………………………………………………

 

………………………………………………………………………………………………

 

………………………………………………………………………………………………

 

………………………………………………………………………………………………

 

………………………………………………………………………………………………

 

………………………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………

[Back of Form.]

Directions to Elector and Authorized Witness.

(а) The elector shall exhibit his unmarked postal ballot-paper and his postal vote certificate to the authorized witness.

(b) The elector shall then and there, in the presence of the authorized witness, sign his name in his own handwriting on the postal vote certificate, in the place provided for the signature of the voter.

(c) The authorized witness shall then and there sign his name in his own handwriting on the postal vote certificate in the place provided for the signature of the authorized witness, and shall add the title under which he acts as an authorized witness and the date.

Form 26—continued.

(d) The elector shall then and there, in the presence of the authorized witness, but so that the authorized witness cannot see the vote, mark his vote on this ballot-paper by placing the number 1 in the square opposite the name of the candidate for whom he votes as his first preference; and must give contingent votes for all the remaining candidates by placing the numbers 2, 3, 4 (and so on, as the case requires), in the squares opposite their names, so as to indicate the order of his preference for them, and shall fold the ballot-paper so that the vote cannot be seen, and hand it so folded to the authorized witness.

(e) The authorized witness shall then and there place the ballot-paper in the envelope addressed to the Divisional Returning Officer, fasten the envelope, and hand it to the voter, who shall forthwith post or deliver it, or cause it to be posted or delivered, to the Divisional Returning Officer.

(f) If the elector’s sight is so impaired that he cannot vote without assistance, the authorized witness, if so requested by the elector, shall mark the elector’s vote on the ballot-paper in the presence of a witness, direct the witness that he must refrain from disclosing any knowledge of the vote of the elector, and shall then and there fold the ballot-paper so that the vote cannot be seen, place the ballot-paper in the envelope addressed to the Divisional Returning Officer, fasten the envelope, and hand it to the voter, who shall forthwith post or deliver it, or cause it to be posted or delivered, to the Divisional Returning Officer.

Further Directions to Authorized Witness.

The authorized witness shall not, unless the elector’s sight is so impaired that he cannot vote without assistance, look at or make himself acquainted with the vote given by the elector, and, except as provided in paragraph (f) of the preceding Directions, shall not suffer or permit any person (other than the elector) to see or become acquainted with the elector’s vote, or to assist the elector to vote, or to interfere in any way with the elector in relation to his vote.

Every authorized witness shall—

(a) comply with the preceding directions in so far as they are to be complied with on his part;

(b) see that the preceding directions are complied with by every elector voting by post before him, and by every person present when the elector votes; and

(c) refrain from disclosing any knowledge of the vote of any elector voting by post before him.

Penalty: One hundred pounds, or imprisonment for three months.

Duty of Persons Present when an Elector Votes by Post.

Any person present when an elector is before an authorized witness for the purpose of voting by post shall—

(a) obey all directions of the authorized witness;

(b) refrain from making any communication whatever to the elector in relation to his vote;

(c) refrain from assisting the elector or in any manner interfering with him in relation to his vote;

(d) except as provided in paragraph (f) of the Directions to Elector and Authorized Witness, refrain from looking at the elector’s vote or from doing anything whereby he might become acquainted with the elector’s vote.

Penalty: One hundred pounds, or imprisonment for three months.

Penalty for Unlawfully marking Ballot-paper.

No person other than—

(а) an elector to whom a postal ballot-paper has been issued, or

(b) an authorized witness, acting in pursuance of paragraph (f) of the Directions to Elector and Authorized Witness, assisting an elector whose sight is so impaired that he cannot vote without assistance,

shall mark a vote upon a postal ballot-paper.

Penalty: One hundred pounds, or imprisonment for six months.

Form 27. Regulation 42 (5)

[Front of Form.]

The elector should carefully read the directions for his guidance printed on the back of this ballot-paper, and in particular note that he must not mark his vote thereon until after he has first exhibited the ballot-paper (unmarked) to the authorized witness.

Commonwealth of Australia.

The Referendum (Constitution Alteration) Act.

 

State of [here insert name of State].

 

POSTAL BALLOT-PAPER.

 

Submission to the Electors of a Proposed Law for the Alteration of the Constitution.

 

1. Do you approve of the proposed law for the Alteration of the Constitution, entitled

[here set out the title of the proposed law] ?

 YES.

 

 NO.

————

[Back of Form.]

Directions to Elector and Authorized Witness.

(а) The elector shall exhibit his unmarked postal ballot-paper and his postal vote certificate to the authorized witness.

(b) The elector shall then and there, in the presence of the authorized witness, sign his name in his own handwriting on the postal vote certificate, in the place provided for the signature of the voter.

(c) The authorized witness shall then and there sign his name in his own handwriting on the postal vote certificate in the place provided for the signature of the authorized witness, and shall add the title under which he acts as an authorized witness and the date

Form 26—continued.

(d) The elector shall then and there, in the presence of the authorized witness, but so that the authorized witness cannot see the vote, indicate his vote on this ballot-paper:—

If he approves of the proposed law he should make a cross in the square opposite the word “YES”;

If he does not approve of the proposed law he should make a cross in the square opposite the word “NO”;

and shall fold the ballot-paper so that the vote cannot be seen, and hand it so folded to the authorized witness.

(e) The authorized witness shall then and there place the ballot-paper in the envelope addressed to the Divisional Returning Officer, fasten the envelope, and hand it to the voter, who shall forthwith post or deliver it, or cause it to be posted or delivered, to the Divisional Returning Officer.

(f) If the elector’s sight is so impaired that he cannot vote without assistance, the authorized witness, if so requested by the elector, shall mark the elector’s vote on the ballot-paper in the presence of a witness, direct the witness that he must refrain from disclosing, any knowledge of the vote of the elector, and shall then and there fold the ballot-paper so that the vote cannot be seen, place the ballot-paper in the envelope addressed to the Divisional Returning Officer, fasten the envelope, and hand it to the voter, who shall forthwith post or deliver it, or cause it to be posted or delivered, to the Divisional Returning Officer.

FURTHER DIRECTIONS TO AUTHORIZED WITNESS.

The authorized witness shall not, unless the elector’s sight is go impaired that he cannot vote without assistance, look at or make himself acquainted, with the vote given by the elector, and, except as provided in paragraph (f) of the preceding Directions, shall not suffer or permit any person (other than the elector) to see or become acquainted with the elector’s vote, or to assist the elector to vote, or to interfere in any way with the elector in relation to his vote.

Every authorized witness shall—

(a) comply with the preceding directions in so far as they are to be complied with on his part;

(b) see that the preceding directions are complied with by every elector voting by post before him, and by every person present when the elector votes; and

(c) refrain from disclosing any knowledge of the vote of any elector voting by post before him.

Penalty: One hundred pounds, or imprisonment for three months.

DUTY OF PERSONS PRESENT WHEN AN ELECTOR VOTES BY POST.

Any person present when an elector is before an authorized witness for the purpose of voting by post shall—

(a) obey all directions of the authorized witness;

(b) refrain from making any communication whatever to the elector in relation to his vote;

(c) refrain from assisting the elector or in any manner interfering with him in relation to his vote;

(d) except as provided in paragraph (f) of the Directions to Elector and Authorized Witness, refrain from looking at the elector’s vote or from doing anything whereby he might become acquainted with the elector’s vote.

Penalty: One hundred pounds, or imprisonment for three months.

PENALTY FOR UNLAWFULLY MARKING BALLOT-PAPER.

No person other than—

(a) an elector to whom a postal ballot-paper has been issued, or

(b) an authorized witness, acting in pursuance of paragraph (f) of the Directions to Elector and Authorized Witness, assisting an elector whose sight is so impaired that he cannot vote without assistance,

shall mark a vote upon a postal ballot-paper.

Penalty: One hundred pounds, or imprisonment for six months.

Form 27. Regulation 42 (5).

[Front of Form.]

The elector should carefully read the directions for his guidance printed on the back of this ballot-paper, and in particular note that he must not mark his vote thereon until after he has first exhibited the ballot-paper (unmarked) to the authorized witness.

Commonwealth of Australia.

The Referendum (Constitution Alteration) Act.

 

State of [here insert name of State].

 

POSTAL BALLOT-PAPER—SPECIAL FORM.

 

Submission to the Electors of Proposed Laws for the Alteration of the Constitution.

 

1. Do you approve of the proposed law for the Alteration of the Constitution, entitled [here set out the title of the proposed law]?

YES

 

NO.

 

2. Do you approve of the proposed law for the Alteration of the Constitution, entitled [here set out the title of the proposed law]?

YES

 

NO

(Additional ballot-papers (numbered consecutively) in similar form may be included in this form.)

 

[Back of Form.]

Directions to Elector and Authorized Witness.

(a) The elector shall exhibit his unmarked postal ballot-paper and his postal vote certificate to the authorized witness.

(b) The elector shall then and there, in the presence of the authorized witness, sign his name in his own handwriting on the postal vote certificate, in the place provided for the signature of the voter.

(c) The authorized witness shall then and there sign his name in his own handwriting on the postal vote certificate in the place provided for the signature of the authorized witness, and shall add the title under which he acts as an authorized witness and the date.

Form 27continued.

(d) The elector shall then and there, in the presence of the authorized witness, but so that the authorized witness cannot see the vote, indicate his vote on this ballot-paper

IN RELATION TO EACH PROPOSED LAW AS FOLLOWS:—

If he approves of the proposed law he should make a cross in the square opposite the word “YES”;

If he does not approve of the proposed law he should make a cross in the square opposite the word “NO”;

and shall fold the ballot-paper so that the vote cannot be seen, and hand it so folded to the authorized witness.

(e) The authorized witness shall then and there place the ballot-paper in the envelope addressed to the Divisional Returning Officer, fasten the envelope, and hand it to the voter who shall forthwith post or deliver it, or cause it to be posted or delivered, to the Divisional Returning Officer.

(f) If the elector’s sight is so impaired that he cannot vote without assistance, the authorized witness, if so requested by the elector, shall mark the elector’s vote on the ballot-paper in the presence of a witness, direct the witness that he must refrain from disclosing any knowledge of the vote of the elector, and shall then and there fold the ballot-paper so that the vote cannot be seen, place the ballot-paper in the envelope addressed to the Divisional Returning Officer, fasten the envelope, and hand it to the voter, who shall forthwith post or deliver it, or cause it to be posted or delivered, to the Divisional Returning Officer.

FURTHER DIRECTIONS TO AUTHORIZED WITNESS.

The authorized witness shall not, unless the elector’s sight is so impaired that he cannot vote without assistance, look at or make himself acquainted with the vote given by the elector, and, except as provided in paragraph (f) of the preceding Directions, shall not suffer or permit any person (other than the elector) to see or become acquainted with the elector’s vote, or to assist the elector to vote, or to interfere in any way with the elector in relation to his vote.

Every authorized witness shall—

(a) comply with the preceding directions in so far as they are to be complied with on his part;

(b) see that the preceding directions are complied with by every elector voting by post before him, and by every person present when the elector votes; and

(c) refrain from disclosing any knowledge of the vote of any elector voting by post before him.

Penalty: One hundred pounds, or imprisonment for three months.

DUTY OF PERSONS PRESENT WHEN AN ELECTOR VOTES BY POST.

Any person present when an elector is before an authorized witness for the purpose of voting by post shall—

(a) obey all directions of the authorized witness;

(b) refrain from making any communication whatever to the elector in relation to his vote;

(c) refrain from assisting the elector or in any manner interfering with him in relation to his vote;

(d) except as provided in paragraph (f) of the Directions to Elector and Authorized Witness, refrain from looking at the elector’s vote or from doing anything whereby he might become acquainted with the elector’s vote.

Penalty: One hundred pounds, or imprisonment for three months.

PENALTY FOR UNLAWFULLY MARKING BALLOT-PAPER.

No person other than—

(a) an elector to whom a postal ballot-paper has been issued, or

(b) an authorized witness, acting in pursuance of paragraph (f) of the Directions to Elector and Authorised Witness, assisting an elector whose sight is so impaired that he cannot vote without assistance,

shall mark a vote upon a postal ballot-paper.

Penalty: One hundred pounds, or imprisonment for six months.

Form 28. Regulation 48.

Commonwealth of Australia.

The Commonwealth Electoral Act.

The Referendum (Constitution Alteration) Act.

Absent Voter’s Declaration to be made on Polling Day by as Elector Voting at a Polling Place other than a Polling Place prescribed for the Subdivision for which he is enrolled.

I declare that I am the person enrolled as—

Surname.

Christian Names at full length.

Place of Living (as appearing on Roll).

Occupation.

 

 

 

 

on the Electoral Roll for the Subdivision of the Electoral Division of , in the State of              , that I have not been and shall not be to-day within the Subdivision for which I am enrolled under conditions which would permit of my voting at any polling place prescribed for that Subdivision, and that I have not voted at this or any other polling place, or by post, in connexion with the election being held this day; and I promise and declare that if I am permitted to vote at this polling place as an absent voter I will not again vote in connexion with this election.

I am aware that if I falsely personate or attempt to personate any other person for the purpose of securing a ballot-paper to which I am not entitled, or wilfully make any false statement in this declaration, I will be prosecuted, and am liable to two years’ imprisonment.

Note.—“Election” in this declaration means a Senate Election, or a House of Representatives Election, or any Referendum (held under the provisions of the Referendum (Constitution Alteration) Act in force for the time being), or all of them, as the case requires.

Personal Signature of Elector.

Signed before me the day of 19 , at   polling place.

Presiding Officer.

Directions.

1. This form of declaration must, after being filled up, be signed by the elector with his personal signature in the presence of the Presiding Officer, and then be completed and attested by the Presiding Officer.

2. The Presiding Officer shall then (subject to the provisions of Regulations 46 to 50 inclusive) initial and hand to the voter—

(a) one ballot-paper (headed Absent Vote”) for the Senate election for the above-mentioned State;

(b) one ballot-paper (headed Absent Vote”) for the House of Representatives election for the above-mentioned Division; and

(c) one ballot-paper (headed “Absent Vote”) for each referendum for the above-mentioned State

held on the date upon which this declaration is made.

3. The elector will then forthwith—

(i) retire alone to an unoccupied compartment of the polling booth and there, in private, mark his vote on each ballot-paper handed to him, in the manner directed thereon.

(ii) fold each ballot-paper separately in such a manner as to conceal the vote marked thereon, and at once return the ballot-paper or ballot-papers (as the case requires) so folded, to the Presiding Officer before whom he made his declaration.

4. The Presiding Officer will see that he receives from the Elector each ballot-paper duly folded, and, if necessary for purposes of identification, will request the Elector to again state his name, and then, without unfolding the ballot-paper or ballot-papers, will forthwith, in the presence of the elector and of such scrutineer or scrutineers (if any) as are present, enclose the ballot-paper or ballot-papers received from that elector, in the envelope bearing the declaration of the elector and addressed to the Divisional Returning Officer for the Division for which the elector declares that he is enrolled, securely fasten the envelops, and deposit it in the ballot-box.

Form 29. Regulation 51.

Absent Vote.

BALLOT-PAPER.

Commonwealth of Australia.

State of [here insert name of State].

Election of [here insert number] Senators.

Directions.

The elector should retire alone to an unoccupied compartment of the booth, and there, in private, mark his vote on this ballot-paper by placing in the squares respectively opposite the names of at least              candidates the numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, and so on, up to and inclusive of the number              , so as to indicate the order of his preference for such candidates, and if there are any more candidates may in addition indicate the order of his preference for as many of them as he pleases by placing in the squares respectively opposite their names other numbers next in numerical order after those already used by him, fold the ballot-paper so that the vote cannot be seen, and return it to the Presiding Officer before whom he made his declaration. The Presiding Officer will then, in the presence of the elector, without unfolding the ballot-paper, forthwith place it in the envelope bearing the declaration of the elector, securely fasten the envelope, and deposit it in the ballot-box.

Candidates.

A  

 

A  

 

A  

 

B  

 

B  

 

B  

 

C  

 

C  

 

 

 

Note.—The letter “A” or “B” of “C&c., appearing before the square opposite a candidate’s surname, indicates that that candidate and each other candidate who has the same letter appearing before the square opposite his surname have been grouped by mutual consent. The fact that no letter appears before the square opposite a candidate’s surname indicates that the name of that candidate has not been included in any group.

Form 30. Regulation 52.

It is the duty of the Presiding Officer, before issuing this ballot-paper to an elector, to fill in the name of the Division for which the elector declares that he is enrolled and the names of all the candidates for that Division, if not already printed thereon.

Absent Vote.

BALLOT-PAPER.

Commonwealth of Australia.

State of [here insert name of State],

Electoral Division of [here insert name of Division],

Election of One Member of the House of Representatives.

Directions.

The elector should retire alone to an unoccupied compartment of the booth, and there, in private, mark his vote on this ballot-paper by placing the number 1 in the square opposite the name of the candidate for whom he votes as his first preference; and must give contingent votes for all the remaining candidates by placing the numbers 2, 3, 4 (and so on, as the case requires), in the squares opposite their names, so as to indicate the order of his preference for them, fold the ballot-paper so that the vote cannot be seen, and return it to the Presiding Officer before whom he made his declaration. The Presiding Officer will then, in the presence of the elector, without unfolding the ballot-paper, forthwith place it in the envelope bearing the declaration of the elector, securely fasten the envelope, and deposit it in the ballot-box.

Candidates.

 

 

 


Form 31. Regulation 53.

Absent Vote.

BALLOT-PAPER.

Commonwealth of Australia.

The Referendum (Constitution Alteration) Act.

State of [here insert name of State],

Directions.

The voter should retire alone to an unoccupied compartment of the booth, and there in private, indicate his vote as follows:—

If he approves of the proposed law he should make a cross in the square opposite the word Yes;

If he does not approve of the proposed law he should make a cross in the square opposite the word “No”;

and shall fold the ballot-paper so that the vote cannot be seen, and return it to the Presiding Officer before whom he made his declaration. The Presiding Officer will then, in the presence of the elector, without unfolding the ballot-paper, forthwith place it in the envelope bearing the declaration of the elector, securely fasten the envelope, and deposit it in the ballot-box.

 

Submission to the Electors of a Proposed Law for the Alteration of the Constitution.

 

Do you approve of the proposed law for the Alteration of the Constitution, entitled [here set out the title of the proposed law]?

YES.

NO.


Form 32. Regulation 54.

Absent Vote.

special form of ballot-paper.

Commonwealth of Australia.

The Referendum (Constitution Alteration) Act.

State of [here insert name of State].

Directions.

The voter should retire alone to an unoccupied compartment of the booth, and there, in private, indicate his vote in relation to each proposed law as follows:—

If he approves of the proposed law he should make a cross in the square opposite the word “Yes”;

If he does not approve of the proposed law he should make a cross in the square opposite the word “No”;

and shall fold the ballot-paper so that the vote cannot be seen, and return it to the Presiding Officer before whom he made his declaration. The Presiding Officer will then, in the presence of the elector, without unfolding the ballot-paper, forthwith place it in the envelope bearing the declaration of the elector, securely fasten the envelope, and deposit it in the ballot-box.

 

Submission to the Electors of Proposed Laws for the Alteration of the Constitution.

 

1. Do you approve of the proposed law for the Alteration of the Constitution, entitled [here set out the title of the proposed law]?

YES.

NO.

2. Do you approve of the proposed law for the Alteration of the Constitution, entitled [here set out the title of the proposed law]?

YES.

 

NO.

 

(Additional ballot-papers (numbered consecutively) in similar form may be included in this form).

Form 33. Regulation 70.

Commonwealth of Australia.

The Commonwealth Electoral Act.

The Referendum (Constitution Alteration) Act.

Form of Declaration to be used at the Polling by a Person claiming to Vote under the Provisions of Section 121 of the Commonwealth Electoral Act who declares that his Name has been omitted from, or, struck out of, the certified List of Voters for the Polling Place at which he claims to be entitled to Vote, owing to an error of an officer, or a mistake of fact.

I. [here insert name in full of person claiming to vote] of [here insert full address and occupation] declare:—

That I am entitled to be enrolled on the Electoral Roll for the [here insert name of Subdivision] Subdivision of the Electoral Division of [here insert name of Division]; in the State of [here insert name, of State].

That after becoming qualified for enrolment for such Subdivision I sent or delivered to the Registrar for the Subdivision a duly completed claim for enrolment (or transfer of enrolment), and that my claim was received by the Registrar before 6 o’clock in the afternoon of the [here insert date of issue of writ], that is, before the issue of the writ for the election being held this day;

That from the time of sending or delivering my claim to the Registrar and up to the issue of the writ as aforesaid, I continuously retained my right to be enrolled for the Subdivision and did not become qualified for enrolment for any other Subdivision;

That to the best of my knowledge and belief my name has been struck out of, or omitted from, the Certified List of Voters for this polling place owing to an error of an officer or a mistake of fact, and not as the result of an objection on the ground of non-residence on other disqualification, or in consequence of the transfer or duplication of my enrolment.

Note.—“Election” in this Declaration means a Senate Election, or a House of Representatives Election, or any Referendum (held under the provisions of the Referendum (Constitution Alteration) Act in force for the time being), or all of them, as the case requires.

Personal Signature of Voter—

Signed before me the day of 19 at polling place.

Presiding Officer.

Note.A person making any untrue statement in this declaration is liable to a penalty of Twenty pounds.

Directions.

1. This form of declaration must, after being filled up, be signed by the Voter with his personal signature in the presence of the Presiding Officer and then be completed and attested by the Presiding Officer.

2. The Presiding Officer shall then (subject to the provisions of section 115 of the Act) initial and hand to the voter—

(а) one ballot-paper (headed Section 121”) for the Senate election for the above-mentioned State;

(b) one ballot-paper (headed “Section 121”) for the House of Representatives election for the above-mentioned Division; and

(c) one ballot-paper (headed “Section 121”) for each referendum for the above-mentioned State,

held on the date upon which this declaration is made.

3. The Voter will then forthwith

(i) retire alone to an unoccupied compartment of the polling booth and there, in private, mark his vote on each ballot-paper handed to him, in the manner directed thereon;

(ii) fold each ballot-paper separately in such a manner as to conceal the vote marked thereon, and at once return the ballot-paper or ballot-papers (as the case requires) so folded, to the Presiding Officer before whom he made his declaration.

4. The Presiding Officer will see that he receives from the Voter each ballot-paper duly folded, and, if necessary for purposes of identification, will request the Voter to again state his name, and then, without unfolding the ballot-paper or ballot-papers will forthwith, in the presence of the Voter and of such Scrutineer or Scrutineers (if any) as are present, enclose the ballot-paper or ballot-papers received from that Voter, in the envelope bearing the declaration of the Voter and addressed to the Divisional Returning Officer for the Division for which the Voter claims to be entitled to vote, securely fasten the envelope, and deposit it in the ballot-box.

Form 34. Regulation 70 (1.).

Commonwealth of Australia.

The Commonwealth Electoral Act.

The Referendum (Constitution Alteration) Act.

Form of Declaration to be used at the Polling by a Person claiming to Vote under the Provisions of Section 91a of the Commonwealth Electoral Act.

I. (a) of (b)

(a) Name in full (as appearing on Roll). (b) Address in full (as appearing on Roll).

(c)  declare:—

(c) Occupation (as appearing on Roll).

(1) That I am enrolled on the Electoral Roll for the Subdivision of the Electoral Division of               in the State of

(2) That I claim to vote under the provisions of Section 91a of the Commonwealth Electoral Act.

(3) That I have neither applied for nor received a Postal Vote Certificate or a Postal Ballot paper in connexion with any Commonwealth Election being held this day.

Note.—”Election” in this declaration means a Senate Election, or a House of Representatives Election, or any Referendum (held under the provisions of the Referendum (Constitution Alteration) Act in force for the time being), or all of them, as the case requires.

Personal Signature of Voter

Signed before me the day of 192 , at  polling place.

Presiding Officer.

Note.—A person making any untrue statement in this declaration is liable to a penalty of Twenty Pounds.

Directions.

1. This form of declaration must, after being filled up, be signed by the Voter with his personal signature in the presence of the Presiding Officer, and then be completed and attested by the Presiding Officer.

2. The Presiding Officer shall then (subject to the provisions of Section 115 of the Act) initial and hand to the voter—

(a) one ballot-paper (headed “Section 91a,”) for the Senate Election for the above-mentioned State;

(b) one ballot-paper (headed “Section 91a,”) for the House of Representatives Election for the abovementioned Division; and

(c) one ballot-paper (headed “Section 91a),”) for each Referendum for the above-mentioned State,

held on the date upon which this declaration is made.

3. The voter will then forthwith (i) retire alone to an unoccupied compartment of the polling booth and there, in private, mark his vote on each ballot-paper handed to him, in the manner directed thereon; (ii) fold each ballot-paper separately in such a manner as to conceal the vote marked thereon, and at once return the ballot-paper or ballot-papers (as the case requires) so folded, to the Presiding Officer before whom he made his declaration.

4. The Presiding Officer will see that he receives from the voter each ballot-paper duly folded, and, if necessary for purposes of identification, will request the voter to again state his name, and then, without, unfolding the ballot-paper or ballot-papers, will forthwith, in the presence of the voter, and of such scrutineer or scrutineers (if any) as are present, enclose the ballot-paper or ballot-papers received from that voter, in the envelope bearing the declaration of the voter and addressed to the Divisional Returning Officer for the Division for which the voter declares that be to enrolled, securely fasten the envelope and deposit it in the ballot-box.

Regulation 70 (1.)

Form 35.

Commonwealth of Australia.

The Commonwealth Electoral Act.

The Referendum (Constitution Alteration) Act.

Form of Declaration to be used at the Polling by a Person claiming to Vote under the provisions of section 115 (3) of the Commonwealth Electoral Act.

I, (a) of (b)

(a) Name in full (as appearing on Roll). (b) Address in full (as appearing on Roll).

(c) declare—

(c) Occupation (as appearing on Roll).

(1) That I am enrolled on the Electoral Roll for the Subdivision of the Electoral Division of              in the State of

(2) That I claim to vote under the provisions of Section 115 (3) of the Commonwealth Electoral Act.

(3) That from, the Answers made by me to the Questions put to me by the Presiding Officer under Section 115 of the Commonwealth Electoral Act the Presiding Officer has informed me that in his opinion my Claim to Vote should be rejected, but I allege that my Claim to Vote should not be rejected, and I state that the grounds

of my allegation are as follow:—*

 

Personal Signature of Voter

Signed before me at day of 192

at polling place.

Presiding Officer.

Note.—A person making any untrue statement in this declaration is liable to a penalty of Twenty Pounds.

Insert grounds upon which the Voter alleges that his Claim to Vote should not be rejected.

Directions.

1. This form or declaration must, after being filled up, he signed by the Voter with his personal signature in the presence of the Presiding Officer, and then be completed and attested by the Presiding Officer.

(a) The Presiding Officer shall then (subject to the provisions of Section 115 of the Act) initial and hand to the voter—

(b) one ballot-paper (headed “Section 115 (3)” for the Senate Election for the above-mentioned State;

(c) one ballot-paper (headed “Section 115(3)”) for the. House of Representatives Election for the above-mentioned Division; and

(d) one ballot-paper (headed “Section 115 (3)”) for each Referendum for the above-mentioned held on the date upon which this declaration is made.

3. The voter will then forthwith (i) retire alone to an unoccupied compartment of the polling booth and there, in private, mark his vote on each ballot-paper handed to him, in the manner directed thereon; (ii) fold each ballot-paper separately in such a manner as to conceal the vote marked thereon, and at once return the ballot-paper or ballot-papers (as the case requires) so folded, to the Presiding Officer before whom he made his declaration.

4. The Presiding Officer will see that he receives from the voter each ballot-paper duly folded, and, if necessary for purposes of identification, will request the voter to again state his name, and then, without, unfolding the ballot-paper or ballot-papers, will forthwith, in the presence of the voter, and of such scrutineer or scrutineers (if any) as are present, enclose the ballot-paper or ballot-papers received from that voter, in the envelope bearing the declaration of the voter and addressed to the Divisional Returning Officer for the Division for which the voter declares that be to enrolled, securely fasten the envelope and deposit it in the ballot-box.

Regulation 70 (1.)

Form 36.

Commonwealth of Australia.

The Commonwealth Electoral Act.

The Referendum (Constitution Alteration) Act.

Form of Declaration to be used at the Polling by a Person claiming to Vote under the Provisions of Section 121a of the Commonwealth Electoral Act.

I, (a) of (b)

(a) Name in full (as appearing on Roll). (b) Address in full (as appearing on Roll).

(c) declare—

(c) Occupation (as appearing on Roll).

(1) That I am enrolled on the Electoral Roll for the Subdivision of the Electoral Division of               in the State of

(2) That I claim to vote under the provisions of Section 121a of the Commonwealth Electoral Act.

(3) That I have not voted in connexion with any Commonwealth Election being held this day.

Note.“Election” in this Declaration means a Senate Election, or a House of Representatives Election, or any Referendum (held under the provisions of the Referendum (Constitution Alteration) Act in force for the time being), or all of them, as the case requires.

Personal Signature of Voter

Signed before me the day of 192   , at polling place.

Presiding Officer.

Note.—A person making any untrue statement in this declaration is liable to a penalty of Twenty Pounds.

Directions.

1. This form of declaration must, after being filled up, be signed by the Voter with his personal signature to the presence of the Presiding Officer, and then be completed and attested by the Presiding Officer.

2. The Presiding Officer shall then (subject to the provisions of Section 115 of the Act) initial and hand to the voter—

(а) one ballot-paper (headed “Section 121a”) for the Senate Election for the above-mentioned State;

(b) one ballot-paper (headed “Section 121a”) for the House of Représentatives Election for the above-mentioned Division; and

(c) one ballot-paper (headed “Section 121a”) for each Referendum for the above-mentioned State.

held on the date upon which this declaration is made.

3. The voter will then forthwith (i) retire alone to an unoccupied compartment of the polling booth and there, in private, mark his vote on each ballot-paper handed to him, in the manner directed thereon; (ii) fold each ballot-paper separately in such a manner as to conceal the vote marked thereon, and at once return the ballot-paper or ballot-papers (as the case requires) so folded, to the Presiding Officer before whom he made his declaration.

4. The Presiding Officer will see that he receives from the voter each ballot-paper duly folded, and, if necessary for purposes of identification, will request the voter to again state his name, and then, without unfolding the ballot-paper or ballot-papers, will forthwith, in the presence of the voter, and of such scrutineer or scrutineers (if any) as are present, enclose the ballot-paper or ballot-papers received from that voter in the envelope bearing the declaration of the voter and addressed to the Divisional Returning Officer for the Division for which the voter declares that he is enrolled, securely fasten the envelope, and deposit it in the ballot-box.

 

Form 37.

Commonwealth of Australia.

State of..........

The Commonwealth Electoral Act.

The Referendum (Constitution Alteration) Act.

Division of................ Subdivision of............

List of the Names and Descriptions of the Electors Enrolled for the abovenamed Subdivision of the above-named Division who did not Vote at the Election (or Referendum, as the case may be) held on Saturday the              day of………, 19

I,........., of.........., Divisional Returning Officer for the Commonwealth Electoral Division of                            , do solemnly and sincerely declare that the names on the within print of the roll for the abovementioned Subdivision against which a mark indicating the electors who voted at the election (or referendum, as the case may be) has not been placed, constitute the list of the names and descriptions of the electors enrolled for the said Subdivision who did not vote at the election (or referendum, as the case may be), held on Saturday, the……..and that the said list was prepared by me pursuant to sub-section (2) of section 128a of the Commonwealth Electoral Act (add, in the case of a referendum, as applied by the Referendum (Constitution Alteration) Act).

And I make this solemn declaration by virtue of the Statutory Declarations Act 1911-1922, conscientiously believing the statements contained therein to be true in every particular.

Declared at..........the..........day of............ 19 .

...................,

Divisional Returning Officer for the Division of..........

Before me—

................J.P.

 

Form 38.

[Front of Form.]

Commonwealth of Australia.

The Commonwealth Electoral Act. (Section 128a (4.)).

The Referendum (Constitution Alteration) Act.

State of..............

Division of ............ Subdivision of............

No. on roll..................

Notification to Elector who Appears to have Failed to Vote.

To the elector whose name and address appear on the back hereof.

You are notified that you appear to have failed to vote at the election (or referendum, as the case may be) held under the Commonwealth Electoral Act (or Referendum (Constitution Alteration) Act, as the case may be) on Saturday, the              , and you are hereby called upon, in pursuance of section 128a of the Commonwealth Electoral Act (add, in the case of a referendum, as applied by the Referendum (Constitution Alteration) Act), to give a valid, truthful, and sufficient reason why you failed so to vote.

You are required to—

(a) state, in the form at the foot of this notice, the true reason why you failed so to vote.

(b) complete and personally sign the form, and have it witnessed by an elector or a person qualified to be an elector.

(c) fold the form so that the address, “Commonwealth Divisional Returning Officer for the Division of              ,” shall be visible, and post it so as to reach me on or before the*             

.......................

Divisional Returning Officer for the above-named Division.

Address.............

Date......... 19 .

Note.—If the elector to whom this notice is addressed is unable, by reason of absence from his place of living or physical incapacity, to fill up, sign, and post the form at the foot hereof within the time specified in the form, any other elector who has personal knowledge of the facts may fill up, sign, and post the form, duly witnessed, within that time, and the filling up, signing, and posting of the form will be treated as compliance by the first-mentioned elector with the requirements of this notice.

 

* Not being less than twenty-one days after the posting of this notice.

Form 39.

Form of Declaration to be Completed and Returned to the Divisional Returning Officer.

I, .....do hereby declare that the following is the true reason why I*............failed to vote at the election (or referendum, as the case may be) held under the Commonwealth Electoral Act (or Referendum (Constitution Alteration) Act, as the case may be), on Saturday, the               day of              , 19             

†.................

Personal Signature of Elector.........

I, the undersigned, being an elector or a person qualified to be an elector of the Commonwealth, certify that I have seen the above-named elector sign the above declaration.

Signature of witness (in own handwriting)..

Occupation.............

Address.............

Date............., 19 

* Where this form is filled up on behalf of an absent or physically incapacitated elector, the word “I” must be struck out, and the name of such elector inserted.

† Here set out the precise and true reason for having failed to vote.

 

[Back of Form.]

From the Divisional Returning Officer

for the Division of........

Commonwealth Electoral Papers Only. Post Free.

M............................

.............................

.............................

Every elector who—

(а) fails to vote at an election (or referendum, as the case may be) without a valid and sufficient reason for such failure; or

(b) on receipt of a notice in accordance with sub-section (4.) of section 128a of the Commonwealth Electoral Act (add, in the case of a referendum, as applied by the Referendum (Constitution Alteration) Act), fails to fill up, sign, and post, within the time specified in the notice, the form (duly witnessed) attached thereto; or

(c) states in such form a false reason for not having voted or, in the case of an elector filling up or purporting to fill up a form on behalf of any other elector, states in such form a false reason why that other elector did not vote,

is guilty of an offence and liable to a penalty not exceeding Two Pounds.

 

Commonwealth Electoral Papers only. Post Free.

The Commonwealth Divisional Returning Officer

for the Division of.........................

............................

..........................

Form 43.

Commonwealth of Australia.

State of.........

The Commonwealth Electoral Act.

The Referendum (Constitution Alteration) Act.

In the Court of Petty Sessions

at............

Between..................Informant or Complainant.

And.......................Defendant.

Statutory Declaration.

I, ............................., of ..........., Divisional Returning Officer for the Commonwealth Electoral Division of              do solemnly and sincerely declare:—

(a) Informant or complainant.

(1) That I am the Divisional Returning Officer for the Commonwealth Electoral Division of……., and am the (a)              herein, and that I am duly authorized in writing by the Chief Electoral Officer to institute these proceedings.

(2) That the defendant on the..............day of......... 19.., was enrolled as an elector on the Commonwealth electoral roll for the               Subdivision of the Division of…………………..

(3) That the paper writing on the back of this declaration contains a true extract from the list prepared and endorsed by me under the provisions of the Commonwealth Electoral Act (add, in the case of a referendum, as applied by the Referendum (Constitution Alteration) Act), and of the Regulations made thereunder.

And I make this declaration by virtue of the Statutory Declarations Act 1911-1922, conscientiously believing the statements therein to be true in every particular.

Declared at............the........day of......, 19 .

Before me.............

Note.—Any person who wilfully makes a false statement in a Statutory Declaration is guilty of an indictable offence, and is liable to imprisonment with or without hard labour for four years.

A Statutory Declaration may be made before—

(i) A Police Stipendiary or Special Magistrate, or a Justice of the Peace; or

(ii) A Commissioner for Affidavits; or

(iii) A Commissioner for Declarations.

 


COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA. Form 44.

State of………………………………….

The Commonwealth Electoral Act. The Referendum (Constitution Alteration) Act.

Division of.............. Subdivision of.......

Extract from LIST OF THE NAMES AND DESCRIPTIONS OF THE ELECTORS ENROLLED FOR THE ABOVE-MENTIONED DIVISION WHO DID NOT VOTE AT THE ELECTION (OR REFERENDUM, AS THE CASE MAY BE) HELD ON SATURDAY, the              

No. on roll.

Name and Description of Elector.

Notification to Elector. Sub-section (4.), Section 128a, of the Commonwealth Electoral Act.

Date sent.

Elector’s Reply.

Further action under Regulation 80.

Subsequent proceedings (if any).

Date to be in hands of Divisional Returning Officer.

Whether Received by Divisional Returning Officer.

(a)

Whether reason stated in reply is, in the opinion of the Divisional Returning Officer, a valid and sufficient reason for failure to vote.

Notification to Elector that reply is not considered a valid and sufficient reason for failure to vote.

Date sent.

Consent of Elector to matter being dealt with by the Commonwealth Electoral Officer.

Date to be in hands of the Divisional Returning Officer.

Whether received by Divisional Returning Officer. (a)

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

(5)

(6)

(7)

(8)

(9)

(10)

(a) Insert in this column “Yes” and date of receipt if a reply has been received, or “No” if a reply has not been received.

.............................

Divisional Returning Officer

for the Division of……...………

Section 128a (11.) of the Commonwealth Electoral Act provides:— Each copy of the list prepared and indorsed by the Divisional Returning Officer, indicating—

(a) the names of the electors who did not vote at the election*;

(b) the names of the electors from whom or on whose behalf the Divisional Returning Officer received, within the time allowed under sub-section (5.) of this section, forms properly filled up and signed; and

(c) the names of the electors who failed to reply within that time;

and any extract therefrom, certified by the Divisional Returning Officer under his hand, shall in all proceedings be prima facie evidence of the contents of such list or extract, and of the fact that the electors whose names appear therein did not vote at the election,* and that the notice specified in sub-section (4.) of this section was received by those electors, and that those electors did or did not (as the case may be), comply with the requisitions contained in the notice within the time allowed under sub-section (5.) of this section.

 

* By section 4 of the Referendum (Constitution Alteration) Act, a reference to an election in the Commonwealth Electoral Act shall be read as a reference to a referendum.

Form 45. Regulation 90.

Commonwealth of Australia.

The Commonwealth Electoral Act.

State of—

Sec. 152.

Return of Money Expended or Expense Incurred in connexion with an Election (to be furnished in accordance with Section 152 of the Act).

(1) Here set out the name of the trades union, organization, association, league, body of persons, or the name of the person, as the case requires.

(2) Here insert particulars of the election.

(3) Here set out the name of the candidate or the names of the candidates and the name of any political party on behalf of or in the interests of which the expenditure was incurred.

(4) Here set out the names and addresses of persons to whom amounts have been paid or are to be paid, the amount paid or to be paid to each, and the nature of the service.

(5) Here set out the names of newspapers, the dates on which the articles or other matter appeared, the nature of the articles or other matter, and the amounts paid or to be paid for the insertion thereof. The particulars in respect of each newspaper are to be separately stated.

Moneys to the following amounts have been expended, and expenses to the following amounts have been incurred by (1)

in connexion with the election held on the

day of 19 for (2)

and such amounts were expended or such expense was incurred on behalf of or in the interests of (3)

 

Amounts Paid.

Expenditure Incurred but not yet Paid.

I. Preparing Articles, Reports, Advertisements, Notices or other matter.

£

s.

d.

£

s.

d.

Money expended or expense incurred in preparing (a) Articles and Reports, (b) Advertisements and Notices, or (c) other matter, including matter appearing in newspapers, and matter printed on cards or in the form of handbills, posters, pamphlets, or otherwise (4)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total..........

 

 

 

 

 

 

II. Articles or other matter in Newspapers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Money expended or expense incurred in connexion with the insertion of articles or other matter in newspapers (5)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total..........

 

 

 

 

 

 


Form 45—continued.

(6) Here set out the names of the newspapers in which the reports appeared, the nature of the addresses or speeches, the dates on which they appeared and the name of the person making the speech or delivering the address, and the amount paid or to be paid. The particulars as regards each newspaper are to be separately stated.

(7) Here set out the names of the newspapers in which the advertisements or notices appeared, the dates on which the advertisements or notices appeared, the nature of the advertisements or notices, and the amounts paid or to be paid for the insertion thereof. The particulars in respect of each newspaper are to be separately stated.

(8) Here set out the names and addresses of persons to whom amounts have been paid or are to be paid, the amount paid or to be paid to each, and the nature of the service.

 

Amounts Paid.

Expenditure Incurred but not yet Paid.

 

£

s.

d.

£

s.

d.

III. Reports in Newspapers of Speeches or Addresses.

Money expended or expense incurred for the insertion in newspapers of reports of addresses or speeches (6)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total..........

 

 

 

 

 

 

IV. Advertisements or Notices in Newspapers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Money expended or expense incurred in connexion with the insertion of advertisements or notices in newspapers (7)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total..........

 

 

 

 

 

 

V. Printing Articles, Reports, Advertisements, Notices or other matter (other than in Newspapers).

 

 

 

 

 

 

Money expended or expense incurred in printing (a) Articles and Reports, (b) Advertisements and Notices, or (c) other matter, including matter printed on cards or in the form of handbills, posters, pamphlets, or otherwise (8)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total..........

 

 

 

 

 

 

VI. Publishing, Issuing, and Distributing Articles, Reports, Advertisements, Notices or other matter.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Money expended or expense incurred in publishing, issuing, and distributing (a) Articles and Reports, (b) Advertisements and Notices, or (c) other matter, including matter printed on cards or in the form of handbills, posters, pamphlets, or otherwise (8)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total..........

 

 

 

 

 

 


(9) Here set out under separate heads precise particulars of the service for which the money was expended or the expense was incurred, together with the names of the persons concerned and the amount paid or to be paid to each person.

 

Amounts Paid.

Expenditure Incurred but not yet Paid.

VII. Miscellaneous Expenses,

£

s.

d.

£

s.

d.

Money expended or expense incurred but not accounted for under any other head provided in this return. (9)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total..........

 

 

 

 

 

 

Summary of Money Expended or Expense Incurred, as shown in the Foregoing Return.

 

Amounts Paid.

Expenditure Incurred but not yet Paid.

 

£

s.

d.

£

s.

d.

Head I......................................

 

 

 

 

 

 

  II......................................

 

 

 

 

 

 

  III.....................................

 

 

 

 

 

 

  IV.....................................

 

 

 

 

 

 

  V......................................

 

 

 

 

 

 

  VI.....................................

 

 

 

 

 

 

  VII.....................................

 

 

 

 

 

 

Totals...............

 

 

 

 

 

 

(10) Here insert I or We, and the names, addresses, and descriptions of the persons making the return.

10)

do solemnly and sincerely declare that this return is true in every particular.

Declared and subscribed before me at the

day of 19

Justice of the Peace.

Form 46. Regulation 91.

Commonwealth of Australia

The Commonwealth Electoral Act.

State of—

Notice under Commonwealth Electoral Act, Section 152 (8),

To—

Take notice that I, the Chief Electoral Officer for the Commonwealth, hereby require you, within              from the date of this notice, to make a return, in accordance with Section 152 of the above-named Act, of any money expended or expense incurred by [here insert you or your trades union registered or unregistered, organization, association, or league or the body of persons of which you are the president (or the chairman or the secretary or an officer) as the case requires] in connexion with the [here insert the election or elections in connexion with which the return is required]—

(a) on behalf of, or in the interests of, any candidate; or

(b) on behalf of, or in the interests of, any political party; or

(c) in printing, publishing, or issuing electoral advertisements or notices, or procuring the insertion in any newspaper of any advertisement, article, or report, or matter intended or calculated to affect the result of the said election (or elections).

Dated this day of 19 .

Chief Electoral Officer.

 

Form 47. Regulation 92.

Commonwealth of Australia.

The Commonwealth Electoral Act.

State of—

Sec. 153.

Return by Proprietor or Publisher of a Newspaper of Electoral Matter Published therein in respect of which Payment has been or is to be made.

Title of newspaper—

Place where published—

Name of proprietor—

*Here insert particulars of the election.

The amount of electoral matter in connexion with the election held on the day of 19  for—*

inserted in the above paper in respect of which payment has been or is to be made, the space occupied by such matter, the amount paid or owing in respect of such matter, and the names and addresses of the trades unions (registered or unregistered), organizations, associations, leagues, bodies of persons, or persons authorizing the insertion thereof are as follows:—[Here set out in the proper columns the date and particulars as regards each article, advertisement, report of speech, paragraph, or other electoral matter inserted in the paper and for the insertion of which payment has been or is to be made. The following specimens of particulars may be taken as guides.]

Date.

Particulars of Electoral Matter.

Amounts paid or owing for insertion.

1918.

 

£

s.

d.

Dec. 2

Article headed “Aims of the Buff Party,” 1½ columns, inserted by authority of Samuel Grey, 14 Yellow-street, Buff Town, Secretary of the Buff Party

5

5

0

 3

Advertisement announcing candidature of William Drab, for the Buff Town Division, 1/4 column, inserted by authority of William Drab, of 25 White-street, Buff Town, gentleman

1

1

0

 4

Report of Speech by William Drab, delivered at Town Hall, Buff Town, on 3 Feb., 2 columns, inserted by his authority

7

7

0

 5

Paragraph, “Points for the Buff Town electors,” ½ column, inserted by authority of Samuel Grey, 14 Yellow-street, Buff Town, Secretary of the Buff Party

2

2

0

* Here set out name and address of person making return, and whether proprietor or publisher of the newspaper.

I,—*

do solemnly and sincerely declare that this return is true in every particular. Declared and subscribed before me this              day of              19

Justice of the Peace.


Form 48. Regulation 95.

Commonwealth of Australia,

The Commonwealth Electoral Act,

State of—

Division of [here insert name of Division if for the House of Representatives]

Form of Withdrawal by Candidate of Consent to Nomination.

(Section 80 of Act.)

To the [here insert Commonwealth Electoral Officer in the case of a Senate Election or Divisional Returning Officer in the case of a House of Representatives Election].

I [here insert Christian names, surname, place of residence, and occupation] do hereby withdraw my consent to nomination as [here insert a Senator or a Member of the House of Representatives, as the case may be], dated the              day of              19              .

[Personal signature of Candidate.]

Dated at [here insert place] the day of 19 .

Witness—

Note.—To be signed in the presence of the Officer with whom the nomination was lodged or of a justice of the peace.

Form 49. Regulation 96

This copy of the writ was received by me this day of 19

Divisional Returning Officer for the Electoral Division of

 

I certify that the statement made out and signed by me pursuant to sub-section 14 (a) of Section 135 of the Commonwealth Electoral Act and attached hereto is correct in every particular.

DATED this day of 19    .

Divisional Returning Officer for the Electoral Division of

 

I hereby return this copy of the writ to the Commonwealth Electoral Officer for the State of                              this              day of              19

Divisional Returning Officer for the Electoral Division of


Form 50. Regulation 102.

Commonwealth of Australia.

The Referendum (Constitution Alteration) Act.

State of—

Sec. 35.

(1) Here set out the name of the trades union, organization, association, league, body of persons, or the name of the person, as the case requires.

(2) Here set of the title of the proposed law (or proposed laws). When two or more Referendums are being held on the same day, the particulars as regards all the Referendums may be included in one return.

(3) Here state whether the money was expended, or the expense incurred in favour of the proposed law of in opposition to the proposed law.

Return of Money Expended or Expense Incurred in connexion with a Referendum or Referendums (to be furnished in accordance with Section 35 of the Referendum (Constitution Alteration) Act).

Moneys to the following amounts have been expended and expenses to the following amounts have been incurred by (1)

within three months before the date of taking the vote at the Referendum (or Referendums) held on the day of              19 , for the submission of a proposed law (or proposed laws) entitled (2)

in connexion with the Referendum or Referendums, and such amounts were expended or such expense was incurred (3)

the proposed law submitted to the electors at the Referendum or Referendums.

(4) Here set out the names and addresses of persons to who amounts have been paid or are to be paid, the amount paid or to be paid to each, and the nature of the service.

(5) Here set out the names of newspapers, the dates on which the articles or other matter appeared, the nature of the articles or other matter, and the amounts paid or to be paid for the insertion thereof. The particulars in respect of each newspaper are to be separately stated.

 

Amounts Paid.

Expenditure Incurred but not yet Paid.

 

£

s.

d.

£

s.

d.

I. Preparing Articles, Reports, Advertisements, Notices or other matter.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Money expended or expense incurred in preparing (a) Articles and Reports, (b) Advertisements and Notices, or (c) other matter, including matter appearing in newspapers, and matter printed on cards or in the form of handbills, posters, pamphlets, or otherwise (4)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total..........

 

 

 

 

 

 

II. Articles or other matter in Newspapers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Money expended or expense incurred in connexion with the insertion of articles or other matter in newspapers (5)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total.........

 

 

 

 

 

 


Form 50—continued.

(6) Here set out the names of the newspapers in which the reports appeared, the nature of the addresses or speeches, the dates on which they appeared and the names of the persons making the speeches or delivering the addresses, and the amount paid or to be paid. The particulars as regards each newspaper are to be separately stated.

(7) Here set out the names of the newspapers in which the advertisement or notice appeared, the dates on which the advertisements or notices appeared, the nature of the advertisements or notices, and the amounts paid or to be paid for the insertion thereof. The particulars in respect of each newspaper are to be separately stated.

(8) Here set out the names and addresses of the persons to whom amounts have been paid or are to be paid, the amount paid or to be paid to each, and the nature of the service.

 

Amounts Paid.

Expenditure Incurred but not yet Paid.

III. Reports in Newspapers of Speeches or Addresses.

£

s.

d.

£

s.

d.

Money expended or expense incurred for the insertion in newspapers of reports of addresses or speeches (6)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total.........

 

 

 

 

 

 

IV. Advertisements or Notices in Newspapers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Money expended or expense incurred in connexion with the insertion of advertisements or notices in newspapers. (7)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total.........

 

 

 

 

 

 

V. Printing Articles, Reports, Advertisements, Notices or other matter (other than in Newspapers).

 

 

 

 

 

 

Money expended or expense incurred in printing (a) Articles and Reports, (b) Advertisements and Notices, or (c) other matter, including matter printed on cards or in the form of handbills, posters, pamphlets, or otherwise (8)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total.........

 

 

 

 

 

 

VI. Publishing, Issuing, and Distributing Articles, Reports, Advertisements, Notices or other matter.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Money expended or expense incurred in publishing, issuing, and distributing (a) Articles and Reports, (b) Advertisements and Notices, or (c) other matter, including matter printed on cards or in the form of handbills, posters, pamphlets, or otherwise (8)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total.........

 

 

 

 

 

 


Form 50—continued.

(9) Here set out under separate heads precise particulars of the service for which the money was expended or the expense was incurred, together with the names of the persons concerned and the amount paid or to be paid to each person.

 

Amounts Paid.

Expenditure Incurred but not yet Paid.

 

£

s.

d.

£

s.

d.

VII. Miscellaneous Expenses.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Money expended or expense incurred but not accounted for under any other head provided in this return (6)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total..........

 

 

 

 

 

 

Summary of Money Expended or Expense Incurred, as shown in the Foregoing Return.

 

Amounts Paid.

Expenditure Incurred but not yet Paid.

 

£

s.

d.

£

s.

d.

Head I......................................

 

 

 

 

 

 

  II.......................................

 

 

 

 

 

 

  III.......................................

 

 

 

 

 

 

  IV.......................................

 

 

 

 

 

 

  V.......................................

 

 

 

 

 

 

  VI.......................................

 

 

 

 

 

 

  VII......................................

 

 

 

 

 

 

Totals................

 

 

 

 

 

 

(10) Here insert I or We, and the names, addresses and descriptions of the persons making the return.

(10)

do solemnly and sincerely declare that this return is true in every particular.

Declared and subscribed before me at the day of 19

Justice of the Peace

Form 51. Regulation 103.

Commonwealth of Australia.

The Referendum (Constitution Alteration) Act.

State of—

Notice under Referendum (Constitution Alteration) Act Section 35 (9).

To—

Take notice that I, the Chief Electoral Officer for the Commonwealth, hereby require you, within

from the date of this notice, to make a return, in accordance with Section 35 of the above named Act, of any money expended or expenses incurred, within three months before the date of taking the vote at the undermentioned referendum (or referendums), by [here insert you or your trades union, registered or unregistered, organization, association, or league or the body of persons of which you are the president (or the chairman or the secretary or an officer) as the case requires] in connexion with the [here insert the referendum or referendums in connexion with which the return is required]—

(a) in support of the proposed law (or laws) submitted to the electors at the said referendum (or referendums); or

(b) in opposition to the proposed law (or laws) submitted to the electors at the said referendum (or referendums); or

(c) in printing, publishing, or issuing advertisements or notices, or procuring the insertion in any newspaper of any advertisement, article, or report, or matter intended or calculated to affect the result of the said referendum (or referendums).

Dated this day of 19

Chief Electoral Officer.

 

Form 52. Regulation 104.

Commonwealth of Australia.

The Referendum (Constitution Alteration) Act.

State of—

Return by Proprietor or Publisher of a Newspaper of Matter relating to a Referendum, Published therein within three months before the date of taking the vote at the referendum in respect of which Payment has been or is to be made.

Title of newspaper—

Place where published—

Name of proprietor—

(1) Here insert the title or the proposed law (or proposed laws). (Where two or more referendums are being held on the same day the particulars as regards all the Referendums may be included in one return).

The amount of matter in connexion with the Referendum (or Referendums) held on the day of                                                         19              for the submission to the electors of a proposed law (or proposed laws) entitled—(1)

inserted in the above paper within three months before the date of taking the vote at the said Referendum (or Referendums) in respect of which payment has been or is to be made, the space occupied by such matter, the amount paid or owing in respect of such matter, and the names and addresses of the trades unions (registered or unregistered), organizations, associations, leagues, bodies of persons, or persons authorizing the insertion thereof are

Form 52—continued.

as follows:[Here set out in the proper columns the date and particulars as regards each article, advertisement, report of speech, paragraph, or other matter in connexion with the referendum, inserted in the paper, and for the insertion of which payment has been or is to be made.]

Date.

Particulars.

Amounts paid or owing for insertion.

 

 

£

s.

d.

(2) Here set out name and address of person making the return, and whether proprietor or publisher of the newspaper.

I,—(2)

do solemnly and sincerely declare that this return is true in every particular.

Declared and subscribed before me this day of 19

Justice of the Peace.

INDEX.

———

ELECTORAL AND REFERENDUM REGULATIONS.

 

No.

 

Page

Part I.—Preliminary—

 

 

 

Short Title.....................................................

1

..

1

Parts.........................................................

2

..

1

Repeal.......................................................

3

..

2

Application of Regulation in relation to joint Rolls..........................

4

..

2

Definitions....................................................

5

..

2

Part II.—Electoral—

 

Division 1.—Enrolment—

 

Form of Roll...................................................

6

..

2

Sale of Electoral Rolls.............................................

7

..

2

Form of Electoral Claim............................................

8

..

2

Registration of Claim.............................................

9

..

2

Notification of Transfer of Enrolment...................................

10

..

3

Reference of Claim to Divisional Returning Officer..........................

11

..

3

Notification of Rejection of Claim.....................................

12

..

3

Formally Defective Claim..........................................

13

..

3

Certificate authorizing Removal of Name................................

14

..

3

Notification of Removal of Name from Roll...............................

15

..

3

Change of Electors from one Roll to another under Section 28 of Act..............

16

..

3

Division 2.—Enforcement of Law in relation to Enrolment—

 

Inquiry and Report by Registrar.......................................

17

..

4

Notification in respect of offence......................................

18

..

4

Consent to matter being dealt with by Commonwealth Electoral Officer............

19

..

4

Proceedings upon receipt of consent to matter being dealt with by Commonwealth Electoral Officer 

20

..

4

Action by Commonwealth Electoral Officer upon receipt of Report from Divisional Returning Officer 

21

..

5

Notification of Imposition of Penalty...................................

22

..

5

Enforcement of Penalties...........................................

23

..

5

Procedure where matter not dealt with by Commonwealth Electoral Officer..........

24

..

5

Declaration of Prosecuting Officer to be considered by Court...................

25

..

6

Division 3.—Objections—

 

Notice of Objection...............................................

26

..

6

Notice to person objected to on ground of non-residence......................

27

..

6

Notice to person objected to on ground other than non-residence.................

28

..

6

Manner of answering Objection.......................................

29

..

6

Inquiry into Objection.............................................

30

..

7

Notice of Determination of Objection...................................

31

..

7

Division 4.—Miscellaneous—

 

Electoral Appeals................................................

32

..

7

Part III.—Electoral and Referendum—

 

Division 1.—Conduct of Elections and Referendums—

 

Notification of desire to have name grouped...............................

33

..

7

Undertaking by Officers and Scrutineers.................................

34

..

7

Polling Places..................................................

35

..

8

Use of Polling Booth for two Elections, &c................................

36

..

8

Ballot-boxes...................................................

37

..

8

Official Mark...................................................

38

..

8

Indorsement on Ballot-papers........................................

39

..

8


ii

INDEX—continued.

 

No.

 

Page

Part III.—Electoral and Referendum—continued.

 

 

 

Division 2.—Voting by Post—

 

 

 

Form of Application for Postal Vote Certificate and Postal Ballot-paper..........

40

..

8

Form of Postal Vote Certificate....................................

41

..

8

Forms of Postal Ballot-paper......................................

42

..

8

Postal Ballot-paper, &c., to be delivered to applicant or sent to his place of living...

43

..

9

Manner of marking Postal Votes...................................

44

..

9

Ballot-box for Postal Votes.......................................

45

..

9

Division 3.—Facilities for Voting as an Absent Voter—

 

 

 

Where an elector may vote as an Absent Voter..........................

46

..

9

Voter to state name and particulars..................................

47

..

9

Questions to be put to Voter......................................

48

..

9

Refusal of voter to answer question..................................

49

..

10

Physically incapacitated or illiterate electors............................

50

..

10

Division 4.—Forms of Absent Voters’ Ballot-papers—

 

 

 

Absent Voter’s Ballot-paper—Senate Election..........................

51

..

11

Absent Voter’s Ballot-paper—House of Representatives Election..............

52

..

11

Absent Voter’s Ballot-paper for Referendum in respect of one proposed law.......

53

..

11

Absent Voter’s Ballot-paper for Referendum in respect of two or more proposed laws 

54

..

11

Division 5.—Records in connexion with Absent Votes—

 

 

 

Record of Absent Voters.........................................

55

..

11

Absent Voters’ Ballot-papers—action by Assistant Returning Officer............

56

..

11

Custody of Absent Voters’ Ballot-papers..............................

57

..

11

Division 6.—Scrutiny of Absent Voters’ Ballot-papers—

 

..

 

Who may attend scrutiny........................................

58

..

12

Preliminary scrutiny...........................................

59

..

12

Further scrutiny..............................................

60

..

13

Informal Ballot-papers..........................................

61

..

13

Objection by Scrutineer to Ballot-paper...............................

62

..

14

Parcelling of Ballot-papers.......................................

63

..

14

Absent Voters’ Envelopes to be forwarded to Commonwealth Electoral Officer....

64

..

14

Opening of sealed parcels of Ballot-papers.............................

65

..

15

Preservation of Ballot-papers......................................

66

..

15

Opening of sealed parcels of Declarations.............................

67

..

15

Division 7.—Scrutiny of Postal Ballot-papers—

 

 

 

Preliminary and further scrutiny....................................

68

..

15

Postal Ballot-papers, &c., how dealt with..............................

69

..

15

Division 8.—Votes recorded in pursuance of Sections 91a, 115(3), 121, and 121a of the Act—

 

 

 

Declarations under Sections 91a, 115(3), 121, or 121a of Act.................

70

..

16

Ballot-paper under Sections 91a, 115(3), 121, or 121a of Act.................

71

..

16

Record to be made by Presiding Officer...............................

72

..

16

Action by Assistant Returning Officer................................

73

..

16

Scrutiny of Votes cast under Sections 91a, 115(3), 121, or 121a of Act..........

74

..

16

Physically incapacitated or illiterate electors............................

75

..

17

Division 9.—Scrutiny by Assistant Returning Officer—

 

 

 

Scrutiny by Assistant Returning Officer...............................

76

..

17

Division 10.—Recount of Ballot-papers—

 

 

 

Recount....................................................

77

..

17


iii

INDEX—continued.

 

No.

 

Page

Part III.—Electoral and Referendum—continued.

 

 

 

Division 11—Enforcement of law in relation to compulsory voting—

 

 

 

List of Electors who failed to vote....................................

78

..

18

Notice to elector under Section 128a, sub-section (4), and reply of elector..........

79

..

19

Action where reason considered insufficient.............................

80

..

19

Action by Commonwealth Electoral Officer upon receipt of report from Divisional Returning Officer 

81

..

19

Notification of imposition of penalty, Section 128a, sub-section (12) (a)...........

82

..

20

Proceedings in a Court of Summary Jurisdiction..........................

83

..

20

Proceedings in Court on failure of elector to vote..........................

84

..

20

Proceedings in Court on failure of elector to send reply to Divisional Returning Officer’s notification 

85

..

20

Evidence in Court of Summary Jurisdiction..............................

86

..

21

Division 12.—Miscellaneous—

 

 

 

Preservation of Documents........................................

87

..

21

Authorized official inquiry.........................................

88

..

22

Fee for inspection of candidate’s return................................

89

..

22

Return under Section 152 of Act.....................................

90

..

22

Notice under Section 152 (8) of Act...................................

91

..

22

Return under Section 153 of Act.....................................

92

..

23

Offence for which no penalty prescribed................................

93

..

23

Use of forms which are not prescribed.................................

94

..

23

Withdrawal of consent to nomination..................................

95

..

23

Indorsement by Divisional Returning Officer on the copy of Senate Writ..........

96

..

23

Amendment of Form A in Schedule to Act..............................

97

..

23

Strict compliance with Forms in Schedule not required......................

98

..

23

Part IV.—Referendum—

 

 

 

Official Mark.................................................

99

..

23

Referendum in Divisions where no electoral poll taken......................

100

..

23

Destruction of Ballot-papers........................................

101

..

23

Return by Trades Union, Organization, &c...............................

102

..

24

Notice to Trades Union, &c., requiring return............................

103

..

24

Return by Newspaper Proprietors....................................

104

..

24

The Schedule....................................................

 

25-75.

 

Printed and Published for the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia by H. J. Green, Government Printer for the State of Victoria.

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Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.