State government elections

The penalty for failing to vote is $25

Electors who are absent from NSW on election day

If you are absent from NSW on election day, you can be excused for failing to vote. A relative may lodge an excuse form on your behalf, should you not be able to do so yourself.

State Government By-election Excuse form
(PDF)[21kb]

This form needs to be faxed to the NSW Electoral Commission on 02 9290 5991. 

Alternatively you may call the Elector Inquiry Centre on 1300 135 736.

Should you fail to advise us of your reason not to vote immediately after the election, you will be issued with a Penalty Notice.  This notice will give you a payment option for the Penalty.

Penalty notices

Legislation requires we issue a penalty notice to an elector, who appears to have failed to vote at an election or by-election.

The notice is sent to the enrolled address of the elector at the time of the close of rolls for that election. The notice provides options to:

• provide a claim you voted and details of where you did so
• submit your reason in writing for not voting
• pay the penalty
• apply to have the matter heard in court.

You must reply within 28 days of the issue date of the notice.

State Debt Recovery Action

Should the matter not be settled within 28 days of the reminder notice, enforcement action may be taken. The State Debt Recovery Office may issue a penalty notice enforcement order under the Fines Act 1996 No 99. Such action may lead to the non-renewal of your driver’s licence.