What happens if you don’t vote this Federal Election?

DON’T feel like voting today? You don’t have to vote, despite being enrolled, but you might face a consequence or two.

VOTERS uninspired by the Federal Election could elect to opt-out of the vote and instead cop a $20 fine.

It comes as the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) sent a strict warning to voters who choose not to engage in the polling booths, despite already being enrolled, telling news.com.au they could face court time if they fail to show.

A spokesperson for the AEC told news.com.au non-voters would be issued a ‘non-voter notice’ for failing to meet their legal requirement, which will provide you with two options.

1. To pay a $20 fine or ...

2. Provide a valid reason why you haven’t cast a vote.

“If somebody says they didn’t feel like it, it’s not a valid reason,” a spokesperson for AEC told news.com.au.

If you provide a valid reason instead of paying the $20 fine, it will be judged by an AEC official as to whether they believe your excuse is legitimate.

You could expect to find out if you evaded the fine in the “vicinity of a month or two”.

“If, within the time period specified on the notice, you fail to reply, cannot provide a valid and sufficient reason or decline to pay the $20 penalty, then the matter may be referred to a court,” its website reads.

“If the matter is dealt with in court and you are found guilty, you may be fined up to $180 plus court costs and a criminal conviction may be recorded against you.”

But an AEC spokesperson was baffled by the idea of not voting, telling news.com.au: “Above and beyond, the question is why wouldn't you vote? It’s kind of fun seeing the atmosphere.

“But aside from social element, you are having your say. We live in a damn good democracy,

in Australia you have very easy access to your vote, you get to have a say about who represents you, I don’t know why people would fight to not vote.”

The AEC denied rumours claiming citizens get off lightly if they don’t vote, explaining “we go and compare a list of electors, we compare that to list of other polling booths and see who has been crossed off and hasn’t.

“It’s a manual process to see who has voted or who hasn't.”

There is good news for those not enrolled to vote; the AEC said it was “out of the question” for them to vote.

“If you rock up and try to vote we won’t find you on the list of electors,” they said.

- Polling booths are open from 8am-6pm.

— Go to aec.gov.au to find your nearest poling place or call 132326 (open all day tomorrow from 7).