The AEC has been around since 1984 and prior to that was known as the Australian Electoral Office. We run Australia’s federal elections, by-elections, referendums and some industrial and commercial events as well. People often ask what we do in between events and the answer is plenty! Firstly, we maintain the electoral roll of over 16 million people - this is no mean feat given the varying circums
tances of Australia’s population. Another major task is the redrawing of electoral boundaries to ensure that the principle of one vote, one value is upheld as closely as possible - this again is quite a complex undertaking. The AEC provides a range of ongoing electoral education and awareness programs from school age children visiting our electoral education centre to direct engagement with people living in remote areas of Australia. For the more politically savvy we also play a role in the disclosure of the financial dealings of political parties and others involved in the electoral process. The biggest thing that the AEC does in between events though is to plan for the next one. A full federal election is often described as the biggest peacetime logistical exercise undertaken in Australia and we don’t know when it will be held. From ordering the cardboard, paper and pencils to arranging polling & counting venues and establishing an election workforce - there are many and varied organisational tasks that need to be ready to be implemented at short notice to conduct a successful election. Unlike many countries around the world Australia has a system that caters for people’s circumstances to provide access to their vote. To enable easy access to your vote arrangements include call centres being operated accross Australia, mobile voting teams travelling to remote communities and voting centres in cities accross the world. It is a good system enabling democracy at the federal level and one we are proud to administer for the people of Australia!