Question

Difficulty: MediumVoting in Referendums

A referendum is a formal vote held to decide if the Australian Constitution should be changed. For eligible Australian citizens, what is the legal requirement regarding voting in a referendum?

  1. Voting is compulsory for all eligible Australian citizens.Answer
  2. B
    Voting in a referendum is optional for citizens, unlike in federal elections.
  3. C
    Permanent residents who are not yet citizens are also required to vote in a referendum.

Answer

Voting is compulsory for all eligible Australian citizens.
The correct answer is correct because in Australia, voting is a legal duty for all eligible citizens aged 18 and over. This requirement applies equally to federal elections and referendums, which are held to change the Australian Constitution.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the nature of a referendum in Australia.
A referendum is a national vote to change the Constitution.
Understanding the context helps determine the legal framework applied to the vote.
2
Recall the voting laws for Australian citizens.
Voting is a compulsory civic duty for all eligible citizens aged 18 and over.
This rule is fundamental to the Australian democratic process.
3
Apply the voting law to the specific case of a referendum.
The requirement for a referendum is the same as for a federal election: it is compulsory.
All enrolled voters must participate in constitutional changes to ensure the result reflects the will of the people.

Key Concept

Compulsory Voting in Referendums

Hints

1
Think about whether voting in a normal federal election in Australia is a choice or a legal requirement.
2
Australian law treats the process of changing the Constitution with the same level of importance as electing a government.

Practice More

Review the 'Double Majority' rule to understand how the results of a referendum are calculated after the votes are cast.
Estimated Time:45s
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