Many Australians have likely received a message from their local MP or candidate about how to apply for a postal vote or vote early ahead of the federal election.
While these messages are not illegal, the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) has issued a warning to voters about using unsolicited postal vote application forms from political parties, including those sent via text prompts.
AEC Commissioner Jeff Pope said while this is allowed under the Commonwealth Electoral Act, there are often concerns about the timeliness of applications reaching the AEC and the privacy of applicants’ details.
The voting watchdog said political parties reportedly use the forms to collect data about voters before forwarding them to the AEC website.
Pope said voters should “always carefully consider what they’re doing with their personal information”.
“The AEC takes privacy seriously and operates under the Privacy Act. Political parties don’t have to,” he said
“Voters ask us how their mobile number is known by a political party. It has not been provided by the AEC.”
“If you need a postal vote, the easiest way to apply for one is to do it on the AEC’s website. It takes a few minutes and guarantees that your personal information stays secure with us.”
It’s advised that people apply for a postal vote directly on the AEC website.
“Federal elections are intended to be in-person events, with postal voting available if you can’t get to a polling place on the day or an early voting location in the two weeks prior to polling day,” Pope said.
“Concerns about party postal vote applications through unsolicited outreach is the number one complaint we hear from voters at almost every federal election.
“The AEC has shared these concerns with parliamentary committees in the past and will continue to do so in the future.”
