A record 16,424,248 Australians are enrolled to vote in the 2019 federal election. This follows almost 100,000 additions to the roll in the week preceding the close of rolls, which has pushed the national enrolment rate to an extraordinary 96.8%.
Electoral Commissioner, Tom Rogers said this represented by far the most complete electoral roll in Australian history and a phenomenally high base to election participation unlikely to be matched anywhere in the world.
“A national enrolment rate of 96.8% was for a long time thought to be unattainable,” Mr Rogers said.
“Such a complete roll is a credit to Australian citizens and to the hard work and careful processes put in place by AEC staff. It is something all Australians can be proud of.”
There are around 750,000 more people enrolled for the 2019 federal election than were on the roll for the 2016 federal election.
The youth enrolment rate is also at the highest level ever with an estimated 88.8% of eligible 18-24 year olds enrolled to vote.
“There were around 70,000 18-24 year-olds among the additions to the roll during the close of rolls week,” Mr Rogers said.
“Enrolment for this youth cohort at 88.8% is now even higher than it was for the marriage postal survey when it was 88.6%.”
This is the first federal election at which Australians born in the year 2000 are able to vote. Over 400,000 18-19 year olds are enrolled to vote for the 2019 federal election.