Electoral roll makes a mockery of election

19 July 2010A full system of online enrolment should be a priority after the election, writes George Williams in the National Times

WE ARE heading to a federal election, but our electoral roll is being left behind. All evidence points to the fact 1.4 million Australians are missing from the roll and will be unable to vote.

In a nation that takes pride in its democratic system, this figure is a national disgrace. One in 10 eligible Australians not even being enrolled makes a mockery of the idea of compulsory attendance at the ballot box. The law may require this, but the reality of our electoral practice demonstrates otherwise.

The number of people off the rolls erodes the legitimacy of the election. On August 21, our next government may be decided by…

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