Voting Rights

Australia

Can I vote?
If, at the time of a Federal Election, you are living outside of Australia, you can still vote so long as you are enrolled on the Commonwealth Electoral Roll and you have left Australia within the last three years and intend to return within 6 years of your date of departure.  Enrolment applications are available from the Australian Electoral Commission website www.aec.gov.au.

How do I vote?
If you are enrolled on the Commonwealth Electoral Roll, you can vote in a Federal Election by post or in person.

Postal Vote Applications (PVA) can be downloaded from the Australian Electoral Commission website once an election has been announced.  When you have printed and completed the PVA form, you must either fax or post it to your nearest overseas polling place.  Your ballot papers will then be sent to you.

Alternatively, you can vote in person, by visiting one of the many overseas polling places (a list of overseas polling places is available once an election is announced).

Canada

Can I vote?
If, at the time of a Federal Election, you are not living in Canada, you can register to vote:

• if you have been residing outside Canada for less than five consecutive years since your last visit to Canada and
• you intend to resume residence in Canada.

How do I vote?
To register to vote in a Federal Election, print and complete the registration form on the Elections Canada website www.elections.ca. Fax or post the completed form, with the necessary documentation (listed on the website) to Elections Canada and when a Federal Election is called, a voting kit will be sent to you.

New Zealand

Can I vote?
If, at the time of a General Election, you are not living in New Zealand you can still vote if:

• you are a permanent resident of New Zealand and have been in New Zealand within the last 12 months; or
• you are a New Zealand citizen and have been in New Zealand within the last three years.

How do I vote?
Ballot papers are not automatically sent to voters who are overseas, so if you want to vote you must either:

• Cast an advance vote before leaving New Zealand – This option is only available if you are in New Zealand within three weeks of the election. If you are, then you can vote at any advance voting facility.
• Download your ballot papers from the internet – Your ballot papers, declaration and supporting documentation can be downloaded from www.elections.org.nz three weeks before election day.
  NOTE: downloaded ballot papers are only valid if they are posted or faxed from outside New Zealand and received by 7pm New Zealand time, or delivered to your nearest overseas post by 4pm (local time) on the day of the election.
• Vote in person – You can vote in person at most New Zealand diplomatic posts. NOTE: Voting closes at all overseas posts at 4pm (local time) on the day of the election