Australians will head to the polls on Saturday, 3 May 2025, in what the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) is reminding voters is both a democratic right and a civic duty.
The AEC is ramping up efforts to ensure voters are informed, confident and aware of their rights ahead of the federal election. At the heart of that message is a simple but powerful principle: your vote is your choice, and it must be made free from coercion.
Australian Electoral Commissioner Jeff Pope said, “When you enter a polling place or receive your ballot papers by mail, your vote is your choice. That choice is based on matters that are important to you.”
Voting in Australia is done privately, and only citizens can participate. The Commission is reminding Australians that no one can know or control how they vote, and that secrecy is a foundational element of the system.
Polling places will see campaigners handing out material from political parties – but only from six metres or more from the entrance, in accordance with electoral law. Voters may choose to accept this material or not, and should expect a range of opinions from campaigners, social media, media outlets, friends, and family.
Mr Pope highlighted that while elections are a contest of ideas, attempts to interfere with those ideas are real. “Be alert to those who might seek to influence or interfere with the way you are going to vote,” he warned, noting that such threats may come from foreign entities or individuals with external links.
The Electoral Integrity Assurance Taskforce will be monitoring cyber and physical threats, including foreign interference, during the election period. “Australia has one of the most trusted electoral systems in the world. It belongs to eligible voters, and we all have a responsibility to protect it,” said Pope.
The Commission is also warning voters to be cautious of false or misleading content online. Through the “Stop and Consider” initiative, voters are encouraged to think critically about what they read or hear about the electoral process. The AEC website offers resources to help Australians recognise misinformation and stay on track.
Another point of attention is the recent redistribution of electoral boundaries. Some voters may now belong to a different electorate, or find that their regular polling station has changed. The AEC is urging all voters to check their electoral division at aec.gov.au/electorate to ensure they’re prepared.
Mr Pope reaffirmed that the physical act of voting is secure: ballots are cast privately, placed in monitored ballot boxes, and never left unattended during transport or counting. “You don’t need to tell anyone how you voted, unless you want to. You and you alone control your vote,” he said.
For those needing help in a language other than English, translated materials and interpreter services are available on the AEC website.
As the election approaches, the message from the Commission remains clear: Stay informed. Stay alert. And above all, vote freely.
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