Almost 28,000 Tasmanians have less than one week left to explain why they didn’t vote in this year’s state election or face a $41 fine.
The Tasmanian Electoral Commission issued 27,889 notices of failure to vote following the 2025 state election. Responses are due by Monday, October 6.
Electoral Commissioner Andrew Hawkey said the commission understood some people had legitimate reasons for not voting.
Under Tasmania’s Electoral Act 2004, voting is compulsory for all enrolled electors.
Those who don’t vote without a valid reason face financial penalties.
People who received notices can avoid the fine by explaining why they couldn’t vote or providing details of when and where they did vote if there was an administrative error.
The commission included reply-paid envelopes with all notices to make responses easier.
Hawkey warned that ignoring the notices would only make things worse for recipients.
“… Penalties can escalate if ignored,” he said.
Anyone who cannot provide a valid excuse must pay the $41 penalty.
