Electoral and Referendum Regulations 1918

What it does: These regulations (made in 1918, commencing March 1919) provide the detailed administrative rules for running Australian federal elections and constitutional referendums under the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 and the Referendum (Constitution Alteration) Act 1906-1915.

Who it affects: All Australian electors, election officials (Electoral Registrars, Divisional Returning Officers, Presiding Officers), political candidates, trade unions, political parties, and newspaper proprietors.

Key areas covered:

• Enrolment: Specifies the forms and procedures for claiming enrolment, transferring between electorates, updating addresses, and correcting roll details. Includes special provisions for members of the armed forces (Form 2a).
• Compulsory Enrolment Enforcement: Sets out how officials investigate and penalise people who fail to enrol, including administrative fines (up to £2) or court prosecution.
• Objections: Procedures for challenging a person’s right to remain on the electoral roll (e.g., on grounds of non-residence), including notices and appeal rights.
• Voting Methods: Detailed rules for three ways to vote:
  • Ordinary voting at a polling place;
  • Postal voting (applying for a certificate, marking the ballot before an authorised witness, and returning it by post);