Investigation Initiated Following Failure to Count 800,000 Votes in 2023 NSW Election
The NSW government is advocating for potential reforms to increase the voter turnout rate.
The New South Wales (NSW) government has requested the state parliament to conduct an investigation into the election system to enhance the voter turnout rate.
As per the NSW government, out of the 791,759 disenfranchised voters, 553,646 were enrolled but abstained from voting, while 163,436 cast an invalid vote.
The remaining 74,677 individuals did not register to vote despite being eligible.
Special Minister of State John Graham stressed the need to bridge the “democratic gap” in the state’s election system.
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“Unless we address this issue, our political system will lack proper representation and responsiveness,”
It is important to note that it is mandatory for Australian citizens to vote in all federal, state, and council elections, with penalties for non-compliance.
The NSW government’s declaration coincides with a decrease in the voter turnout rate in the state.
Although the informal voting rate reduced from 3.46 percent in 2019 to 3.3 percent in 2023, it still exceeded the 2011 rate of 3.2 percent.
Ambitious Goals for Enhancing Voter Turnout
In light of the call for a parliamentary inquiry, the NSW government has set ambitious objectives of achieving 100 percent voter enrollment, 100 percent turnout rate, and 100 percent formal votes.
It has also tasked the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters to review electoral laws and practices that would support these goals.
At the same time, Mr. Graham emphasized the significance of conducting elections in an “inclusive” manner and preserving voters’ trust amid the threat of “misinformation and disinformation.”
“NSW elections must be inclusive, accessible, and secure, and if reforms are necessary to maintain these qualities, we will implement them,” he stated.
“Maintaining voter trust is essential for a healthy democracy. Unfortunately, public confidence can be undermined by real or perceived flaws in the system–a vulnerability seized upon by those behind misinformation and disinformation campaigns.”
However, these allegations were dismissed by the NSW Electoral Commission.
The inquiry into the NSW election system is anticipated to finalize a report in 2027.
