2010 House of Assembly election
Thankyou for your letter of 22 July 2010.
You clearly disagree with the provision in Tasmanian electoral law, which establishes failure to vote as an offence. I completely respect your opinion and your right to hold it. However, I cannot except that your disagreement with the law constitutes a valid and sufficient reason for not complying with the law.
Nor can I accept that the Electoral Commissioner's lawful issue of a determination notice could be held to constitute violence or intimidation.
If you choose not to pay the prescribed penalty, you will in due course receive an infringement notice. You will then be able to elect for a court hearing, at which you would be able to represent the arguments in your letter.
In answer to your post script, it is a valid and sufficient reason for failing to vote if an elector believes it to be part of his or her religious duty to abstain from voting.
Yours Sincerely
Julian Type
Deputy Electoral Commissioner
27 July 2010
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