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Australian Electoral Commission
The AEC has today launched additional tools that aim to help voters navigate the increasingly complex information environment. The AEC’s message to ‘Stop and Consider’ comes with the nation set to go to the polls for the 2025 federal election in the coming months.
The voter’s guide to election communication is a new repository of information for voters. The materials it contains are easy to consume, providing contextual information about the election communication environment as well as a range of tangible tips and resources.
The AEC’s Stop and Consider advertising campaign is being expanded for the 2025 federal election. Digital and social ads will be seen more often during the election - they will include a new call to action, to ‘get tips’, and direct voters to the new Stop and Consider hub to find out how to spot misleading information about the electoral process.
The communication channel catalogue is a new web-based resource that outlines some of the communication channels used by campaigners during a federal election. The communication channels featured in the catalogue are ones that often lead to voter questions or concerns.
The communication tactics catalogue outlines some key themes of misleading communication voters may face. Being familiar with such tactics allows voters to consume information.
The Disinformation Register on electoral processes for the 2025 federal election is now live.
The AEC first published a register as a tool during the 2022 federal election. The AEC is not the arbiter of truth in election campaigning but is the authoritative source of information about how federal election processes work in Australia.
The use of AI in elections is a rapidly evolving environment. As part of the new voter’s guide to campaigning the AEC has produced a snapshot of that environment. There are also tips and suggestions relating to AI throughout the other areas of the web-based guide.
An expanded range of short-form videos are now also available for voters on the AEC’s YouTube channel, AEC TV. These videos are a mix of new and existing explainer products that provide detailed information about Australia’s electoral system and the AEC’s processes. They will be distributed via various channels throughout the coming months.
The AEC has maintained a very active social media presence during recent federal elections, by-elections and the 2023 referendum. This has provided regular fact-based contributions to online conversations about election processes.
The AEC has active accounts on Instagram, X, Threads, Facebook and LinkedIn. For each recent federal election AEC leaders have also held ‘Ask Me Anything’ (AMA) sessions on Reddit. While the channels where the AEC has an account have not changed recently, the agency is watching the environment closely and may opt to expand our presence ahead of, or during, the election period.
“A federal election must be held in the next few months, so now is the perfect time to encourage all Australians to have a healthy degree of scepticism when it comes to what they see, hear or read.”
“In the lead-up to and during elections there’s lots of things said and written about how to vote.”
“While it’s not the AEC’s job to decide what’s true or not when it comes to political communication, we’re the experts when it comes to the electoral process.”
“People might come across false or misleading information about the process, including AI-generated content.”
“Research with voters last year found many are at risk of electoral process information that isn’t correct. The reality is anyone can be affected.”
“Australia has one of the most trusted electoral systems in the world. We all have a responsibility to protect it.”
“The AEC has tips on how to stop, check and consider - like what to look for, being aware of potentially manipulative tactics and how to not let emotion influence decisions.”
“One of the easiest things people can do once they’ve stopped and considered something is to simply ignore it if they’re not sure – or at the very least don’t share it if you can’t verify the information.”
“Simply learning about the process can help too - get information directly from the AEC on things like how to fill out ballot papers in line with the voting instructions, how votes are counted and how a result is determined.”
“Digital literacy is something we can all do – being vigilant when we encounter information - and supporting others to do the same.”
The AEC acknowledges the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognises their continuing connection to land, waters, culture and community. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.