Apparent Failure to Vote

[aktomkins]

I just got a Apparent Failure to Vote notice from the Electoral Office for not voting in the Federal Election...

I had to work a 15hr day on the 24th Nov...

Just wondering if this is considered a valid reason???
or should i make up something a bit more convincing...

P.S. If you work for the AEC, please ignore this.... :P

[Duke]

Unless the work was unexpected it won't wash as a reason. Lots of folks worked that day - it's not generally considered an acceptable excuse, you can still leave during lunch or rest breaks and if it was rostered work, you could have put in an away vote a couple of weeks earlier.

Still, no harm in trying I guess.

[aktomkins]

im a chef... we don't get lunch breaks...

[JG66ME]

You could of voted anytime in the weeks leading up to the election. I have done that on a few occasions when I knew or thought I would be away O/S with work.

Was the work unexpected or planned? I think you will just have to cop the fine.

Steve

[aktomkins]

Well, i knew i was working, but i wasnt meant to work all day...
usually on a saturday i dont start until 3pm. but on the friday night i got asked to come in at 6am.

[Duke]

Originally Posted by aktomkins

im a chef... we don't get lunch breaks...

I'm not entirely sure, but I don't think chef's have seperate rules for voting. Sorry.

[Tha Jack]

Originally Posted by Duke

I'm not entirely sure, but I don't think chef's have seperate rules for voting. Sorry.

[woodsy109]

Yes your reason is a valid excuse. Just get your employer to write you a letter stating that you were asked to do extra hours and did not get time to vote. You shouldn't have any problem avoiding the fine.

[XR6_661]

How much are the fines usually anyways? :shifty:

[fiery]

Don't take this as a bit of good advice, but maybe you could stretch the truth somewhat and say you did vote and the people at the polling booth must have made a mistake and not crossed you off correctly..
It is about the only way to get out of the fine to be honest (unless you were hospitalised and incapable of actually ticking the box).

If you use the above reason then you will most likely have to fill out a stat dec declaring this information.

The other option is to pay the government their fine money!!

Good luck

[fmc351]

Id say your excuse is valid, and its unexpected so you cant have been expected to vote earlier. The question is, is your boss accommodating towards a stat dec to state thats the case?

You can have one of ours though, we got a letter asking my other half to explain why she voted twice.

[BAFalconXT]

The fine is only $30.........

[MAGPIE]

WTF you get fined for not voting ????

I thought Australia was a democracy :

[Duke]

Originally Posted by MAGPIE

WTF you get fined for not voting ????

I thought Australia was a democracy :

[fmc351]

Originally Posted by MAGPIE

WTF you get fined for not voting ????

I thought Australia was a democracy :

Actually its a constitutional monarchy. However, it is a democracy (in the modern sense) where voting is compulsory, if youre registered to vote. Democracies arent all theyre cracked up to be, no protection of the minority from the tyranny of the majority. Democracy in its pure sense is just majority rules which is akin to mob rule. We have democratic elections, thats about it.

Originally Posted by BAFalconXT

The fine is only $30.........

Last I looked federally the fine is $20, but that could be outdated now. Dont get confused here though, some council elections can cost $55 if you fail to vote.

In Qld if you ignore the first notice of apparent failure to vote, the fine doubles and an infringement notice issued which is forwarded to SPERS if not acted on.

Dont forget if you fail to act on it, it will go to court, add in court costs.

[TadKa]

Tell them you are an Exclusive Bretheran. They are a religious group that doesnt have to vote (Although they are allowed to spend big dollars on anti green propaganda)

[XR6_661]

Pay it?

I was thinking it was like hundreds. If it's under $100...just pay it. Not worth the heartache!

[Yaw]

The religous group that does not vote is not a valid defense either, Jehovas Witness' although refrain from voting still need to show up to have thier name crossed off the list, they just don't accept the ballot papers on religous grounds.
So my J.W friends tell me.

[StealthAu]

My name seems to have magically disapeared off all the lists at the enrolment office. I'll get this fixed when I see someone worth voting for.

[dishpig]

Originally Posted by stockoau

My name seems to have magically disapeared off all the lists at the enrolment office. I'll get this fixed when I see someone worth voting for.

I envy you

[Tote]

A few years a go we got fined for not voting in a local council election in NSW. The ballot was out of sync with the normal council ballot which is publicised. We didn't vote because the election was poorly publicised and we didn't know about it.We put that in a letter and heard no more about the matter.
Just write a letter stating your circumstances. If the electoral commission want a stat dec from your employer they will ask for it.
Regards,
Tote

[MNM96]

Originally Posted by fiery

Don't take this as a bit of good advice, but maybe you could stretch the truth somewhat

It is about the only way to get out of the fine to be honest

The other option is to pay the government their fine money!!

Good luck

How can he stretch the truth, and be honest?

This last piece is both honest, and sensible!

[Yellow_Festiva]

Originally Posted by JG66ME

You could of voted anytime in the weeks leading up to the election. I have done that on a few occasions when I knew or thought I would be away O/S with work.

Was the work unexpected or planned? I think you will just have to cop the fine.

Steve

Thats what I do. Actually, since I was able to vote I don't think I have ever actually voted on election day.

There are dozens of locations to vote available before the day, and often, you don't ever need to wait, as from what I can gather not many people use these facilities to their advantage.

Last election, I voted after work on a Wednesday, whole process was done in 5 minutes, no one else there.

And, it seems that your reason is valid, you will get out of it, but that all depends on how willing your boss is word the stat dec correctly to get you out of strife.

[fmc351]

Originally Posted by MNM96

How can he stretch the truth, and be honest?

This last piece is both honest, and sensible!

I think you read that wrong.

Fiery was being honest, ....and cagey.

[blueprinted_xr]

i had the exact opposite happen to me, i got a letter asking why i voted twice?!?!?!?! so i think that evens everything out aktomkins. they ask for a full explanation, i think there were expecting a half page letter. my response. "I DIDNT!" 2 weeks later i got another letter saying thank you for your prompt reply, the matter has now be resolved lol!

[fpr_esp]

haha i went to vote stood in a cue for an hour only to go in and be told my name wasnt on the list to be ticked off, my parents and siblings were thier seen em but mine was'nt, hows that for a score so the lady insisted i go and sign up. i said nfw this is a bonus i dont have to vote for lying scumbags im outties. what gets me is i went to same place last election and had my name crossed off and voted. :

[StealthAu]

If you want to deregister yourself, just don't vote, when you get a fine don't pay it, wait until it goes to S.P.E.R. before paying it. After a couple of fines of over $100 each, you wont have to vote again.

[TadKa]

or you could just vote

[fiery]

Originally Posted by fmc351

I think you read that wrong.

Fiery was being honest, ....and cagey.

Thanks at least you read it correctly

[Geez Louise]

If you are a larger lad...Declare yourself a nation and then hold your own elections!! No govt fines then for a no vote!