The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) today reminded all Western Australian voters currently interstate to make sure they vote in the 2014 WA Senate election.

Australian Electoral Officer for Western Australia, Kathy Mitchell, said it is compulsory for all Australian citizens 18 years and over enrolled in Western Australia to vote in the election, even if they are visiting or working interstate.

“People who are enrolled in Western Australia but are currently away interstate need to plan how they will have their vote,” Ms Mitchell said.

WA voters who are interstate can vote early now at any AEC office in Australia. This option is quicker and easier than applying and waiting for a postal vote. AEC offices will be open this week:

· 9am to 5pm (local time), Monday, Tuesday & Thursday

· 9am – 6pm (local time), Wednesday & Friday.

If voting by post is the only option, WA voters should apply online now for a postal vote at www.aec.gov.au/wa-senate, or pick up an application from any AEC office or Australia Post outlet. While postal vote applications can be lodged with the AEC until 6pm this Wednesday 2 April, Ms Mitchell cautioned that time is running out.

“If you need a postal vote, don’t leave it to the very last minute and risk missing out. It’s likely that for some locations it could already be too late for the AEC to get your ballot paper to you, despite our best efforts, and you may need to consider the option of early voting in person instead of postal voting.”

Postal voters must ensure they complete their ballot paper before 6pm on election day, Saturday 5 April, seal the ballot paper inside the blue envelope provided and get them in the mail to the AEC.

If you are outside of WA on election day, Saturday 5 April you will only be able to vote at AEC offices in CBD locations in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Hobart, Canberra and Darwin from 8am to 6pm local time.

For a list of early voting centres or AEC offices for interstate voting check www.aec.gov.au/where or call 13 23 26 for details.