A silent elector is a registered voter who is eligible to vote in elections but has their address withheld from the publicly available electoral roll. This special enrollment category is designed to protect the privacy and safety of individuals who may be at risk of harm or harassment if their address is made public. Silent electors are still required to enroll and vote in federal, state, and local government elections, but their personal information is kept confidential.
In Australia, the Electoral Commission of South Australia and the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) maintain registers of silent electors. To become a silent elector, individuals must meet certain eligibility criteria, such as being a victim of domestic violence or having a family violence intervention order in place. The process for registering as a silent elector may vary slightly between states and territories, but generally, it involves submitting a request to the relevant electoral commission and providing supporting documentation.
Silent electors can still vote in person at polling stations or by postal vote, but their personal information is not included in the publicly available electoral roll. This helps to ensure their safety and privacy while still allowing them to exercise their democratic right to vote.
