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Reply to an Apparent Failure to Vote Penalty Notice
Full name: [YOUR FULL NAME]
Enrolled address: [ENROLLED ADDRESS]
Postal address (if different): [POSTAL ADDRESS]
Date of birth: [DATE OF BIRTH]
Phone: [PHONE]
Email: [EMAIL]
Notice reference number: [NOTICE REFERENCE NUMBER]
To: Divisional Returning Officer, Division of [DIVISION NAME]
Australian Electoral Commission
[ADDRESS ON YOUR NOTICE]
[DATE]
Reply to penalty notice dated [DATE OF NOTICE] — [ELECTION NAME], polling day [POLLING DAY]
Dear Divisional Returning Officer,
I reply to the notice dated [DATE OF NOTICE], which says I appear to have failed to vote. My reply is (tick one):
( ) I voted. I voted on [DATE] at [POLLING PLACE / EARLY VOTING CENTRE, SUBURB] [OR: by postal vote, posted on [DATE]] [OR: by absent or provisional vote at [PLACE]]. [ANY DETAIL THAT MAY EXPLAIN THE RECORD, E.G. THE OFFICIAL COULD NOT FIND MY NAME / I GAVE MY FORMER SURNAME [NAME]].
( ) I had a valid and sufficient reason for not voting. [EXPLAIN WHAT HAPPENED, WITH DATES — for example: I was admitted to [HOSPITAL] on [DATE] and discharged on [DATE]; I was outside Australia from [DATE] to [DATE]; my car broke down on [ROAD] on polling day and I could not reach a polling place before it closed; I believe it is my religious duty to abstain from voting.]
( ) I will pay the $20 penalty by the method shown on the notice.
Proof attached
[HOSPITAL OR MEDICAL CERTIFICATE]
[TRAVEL RECORDS, BOARDING PASS OR PASSPORT STAMPS]
[OTHER EVIDENCE, E.G. ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE RECORD]
I confirm that the information in this reply is true.
Please confirm in writing that no further action will be taken.
Yours faithfully,
____________________
[YOUR FULL NAME]
For me
[ ] Reply-by date on the notice: [DATE]
[ ] Copy of the reply and proof of sending kept
[ ] If a second notice or a "not satisfied" notice arrives: pay $20 by the new date to avoid court
[ ] Enrolment details checked and updated with the AEC