Election Activity book answers

Recently visited the National Electoral Education Centre (NEEC) in Canberra?

Use the Answer sheet below to check responses to the questions in the Election Activity booklet received during the program.

Representative democracy

Our Australian Constitution set up which system of government?

  • Federal

We elect representatives to the two houses of the Commonwealth Parliament which are:

  • The Senate
  • The House of Representatives

  • The Australian people are represented in the Senate on a State and Territory basis by a group of Senators.
  • The Australian people are represented in the House of Representatives on a population basis by a single member.

  • A Senator must gain a quota (a set number of the formal votes cast) to be elected.
  • A member must receive an absolute majority of the formal votes cast (50% plus 1 vote) to be elected.

Stages in elections

Order the stages in preparing and conducting an Australian election by numbering 1 to 10.

Stages in the election

Elections are always held on

  • Saturday.

Polling places are open from

  • 8am to 6pm.

What would you want to know about a candidate before you vote for them?

Students will give a range of answers to this question.

Where could you find information about candidates?

Students will give a range of answers to this question.

Types of voting

Joe

Joe votes at a polling place in his electorate on election day. This is an ordinary vote.

Omar

Omar votes at a pre-poll centre before election day. This is a pre-poll vote.

Amy

The polling officials couldn’t find Amy’s name on the certified list of electors on election day. She can cast a provisional vote. After the election they will check the electoral roll. Her vote will only be counted if her name is found on the electoral roll.

Kim

Kim can enrol to vote, she will be eligible to vote in elections after she turns 18.

Sue

Sue is in hospital but she can still vote. An AEC mobile team will visit the hospital.

Jack

Jack can’t get to a polling place on election day, but he can apply to vote by post and have ballot papers sent to him.

Ned

Ned has a prison sentence longer than 3 years and cannot vote while he is in prison. Ned can vote when he finishes his sentence.

Tan

Tan is away from home and not voting in his electorate, he will cast an absent vote. This will be sent to his electorate to be counted.

Theresa

Theresa can go to an Australian Embassy to cast a vote overseas.

Why does the AEC provide voters with several ways to vote?

Students will give a range of answers to this question.

Voting

Your Vote Counts

Crossword answers

Why do you think we have a secret ballot?

Students will give a range of answers to this question.

Enrolling to vote

To vote in Australia you need to be:

  • 18 years old
  • an Australian citizen, and
  • enrolled

You can enrol to vote at 16 years old. Enrol at

  • www.aec.gov.au

Find-a-word

Crossword answers


Professional Learning

Develop practical skills in teaching electoral education as part of Australian Curriculum in Civics and Citizenship with the AEC's professional learning suite. You can work online or attend our face to face workshops.

The AEC's one hour online professional learning tool aims to equip you with the skills and knowledge to run an election in your classroom, which is a great way to help students understand the decision making process of an election.

This course;

  • Covers Civics & Citizenship content from the Humanities and Social Sciences curriculum
  • Aligns with the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers
  • Provides 1 hour of professional learning with an official certificate after completion.

Useful links