Queensland Election 2015: 'unprecedented' voter enrolment

Date
    January 13, 2015
    Brisbane Times


An "unprecedented" number of Queenslanders have updated their voting details ahead of the state election, despite concerns the timing of the poll would make it tough for many to do so.   

Almost two thirds more Queenslanders updated their details between the announcement of the 2015 election and the closing of physical rolls on Saturday than in 2012.

University of Queensland reader in political science Dr Ian Ward said the large increase in enrolment changes (from 23,000 in 2012 to 60,000 in 2015) was a surprise.   

"The election was called unexpectedly and at the fag end of the holiday period you'd expect people not to be paying much attention," he said.

"What we don't know is whether this reflects a concerted effort by political parties to enrol people, whether they've used social media and direct mail to drive up that number - which is possibly what the Labor party would do in key seats...

"That would explain it, but I don't know that's the case."

Almost a third of those who updated their details were under 24. Of them, 8800 were aged between 18 and 19, and 11,000 were aged between 20 and 24.

Both Labor and the LNP say they had not made any extra efforts to convince young voters to enrol beyond what they did before the 2012 election.

Spokesmen for both parties said they were continuing with their normal efforts  to encourage people to enrol to vote.

Queensland Greens lead spokesman Dr Charles Worringham said his party had used social media to encourage people to sign up, but he didn't have the information to comment on its scope.    

Electoral Commissioner Walter van der Merwe welcomed the increase in new enrolments and updated details.

"The volume of enrolment activity is unprecedented and suggests that Queenslanders are keen to ensure their vote counts on polling day," he said. 

Physical rolls closed on Saturday but voters can still update their enrolment details until 6pm on January 30, the day before polling day.

Labor voters have probably filled them out incorrectly.
Green voters probably posted them off to Save the Whales by mistake and the Election Commission will get a lot of donations they weren't expecting.

The education system doesn't work for everybody.