AECMedia

Concern for low turnout in Cook by-election

Updated: 11 April 2024

The Australian Electoral Commission is urging all voters in the division of Cook - in the Sutherland region of Sydney - to vote in Saturday’s by-election.

Australian Electoral Commissioner Tom Rogers said the number of votes cast so far are below previous early voting levels in the division of Cook, and below expectations for the by-election.

“While by-elections traditionally have lower turnout than a full federal election, it’s still below expectations, and just as important to have your say,” Mr Rogers said.

“The early voting numbers we’re seeing are down by approximately 11.2 per cent based on the same period in the 2022 federal election and nearly 13 per cent for the same period in the 2023 referendum in the division.”

“Postal vote applications closed yesterday, and those numbers are down slightly as well.”

“While it may be that more people vote on by-election day this time around, typically if someone casts their vote early in one election, they’ll do so in the next one – this is why the numbers we’re seeing makes us worry about low participation.”

“We’ve sent every Cook household an official guide, we’re advertising, we’re sending text messages and emails, we’re also on social media regularly and in discussion with media representatives,” Mr Rogers said.

“While it is more communication for a single by-election than we’ve ever done, ultimately we know that political campaigning activities and media coverage are always key vehicles for awareness and motivation.”

“Failure to vote may result in a fine and will mean you have no say on who represents you in parliament.”

Cook has four pre-poll voting centres that will be open until 6pm on Friday night, and 39 polling places will be open on polling day, Saturday 13 April, from 8am to 6pm. For locations and opening hours, visit https://www.aec.gov.au/cook/ or call us on 13 23 26.

Additional statistics

  • Approximately 18,447 people had cast their vote at an early voting centre up until 10 April. This compares to approximately 21,143 votes cast in Cook at the same stage in the 2023 referendum and 20,769 at the same stage in the 2022 federal election.
    • In addition, there were thousands of interstate early voters from Cook in previous events that are not included in the comparative totals to date.
  • 11,513 postal vote applications have been submitted.
  • 111,968 eligible electors were enrolled at the close of rolls for the Cook by-election.

The division boundary for Cook, NSW

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