Northern Territory Electoral Commission reminds voters to check their enrolment ahead of August vote

A record-breaking enrolment rate means that about 155,000 Territorians are expected to head to the polls next month, but the electoral commission has a reminder for all voters wishing to cast their ballot.

Generic imagery at the Wurrumiyanga polling station on Tuesday for early remote voting in the Voice referendum. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

A record-breaking number of Territorians are eligible to head to the polls, but with weeks left until the big day the electoral commission has urged voters to check their enrolment details.

The Northern Territory Electoral Commission said voters have until 5pm Friday to confirm their enrolment details are correct ahead of the August 24 election.

About 155,000 Territorians are expected to head to the polls this year — with voting enrolment rates reaching over 90 per cent for the first time in the Territory’s history.

The Territory Election Service plan said the sudden surge in voter enrolment was largely due to changes to the Federal Direct Enrolment Program, which automatically enrols Australian citizens using details from their Services Australia or Australian Taxation Office accounts.

However the NTEC document said prior to 2022 this required a mail delivery to a street address, meaning that the system “did not operate in most rural and remote areas of the NT”.

“The AEC expanded its FDEU program in April 2023 to include community mail bags and email addresses so it now captures more voters in rural and remote areas,” it said.

NT Electoral Commission staff, along with scrutineers. Picture: Annabel Bowles

Due to the sudden up tick in first-time voters — particularly in bush electorates — the electoral commission has reminded Territorians to check if they were enrolled, and if their details are correct.

The NTEC said failure to vote could result in a $25 infringement notice, and not knowing about an election is not considered a valid or sufficient reason.

It comes as the election countdown reaches its final weeks, with the final declaration of candidates expected to be announced on Thursday August 8.

The NTEC said ballots would begin to trickle in by Monday August 12, with postal mail out, mobile and early voting booths opening across the Territory – more than 12 days ahead of the official election date.

More than 500 election workers are expected to run the two-week long democracy machine, which will include voting services in 171 remote communities, mobile voting teams, 12 early voting centres.

But the full election day chaos will only hit on Saturday August 24 where candidates from 25 electorates will make their final pitch for the Territory’s vote.

The Northern Territory Electoral Commission estimates that the full declaration of the election result will be made on Monday September 9, but it is expected that the majority of seats will be announced before then.

Check your enrolment here.