What are 'electoral documents,' and how long are they kept?

In Plain English

"Electoral documents" are things like ballot papers, voter lists, and declarations used in an election. The Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 says that these documents must be kept safe by the Australian Electoral Officer or the Divisional Returning Officer until they are destroyed. Generally, these documents can be destroyed after 6 months from the election, as long as the Electoral Commission doesn't need them anymore.

Detailed Explanation

The term "electoral documents" is defined in section 393A(1) of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 to include:

• Ballot papers
• Certified lists of voters
• Approved lists of voters
• Certified copies of the Roll
• Declarations
• Postal vote certificates
• Pre-poll vote certificates for declaration voting
• Lists prepared under section 245

Section 393A(2) and (3) of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 specifies who is responsible for the safe custody of these documents:

• The Australian Electoral Officer is responsible for ballot papers transmitted to him or her.
• The DRO (Divisional Returning Officer) is responsible for electoral documents used in the Division.

According to section 393A(10) of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918, the Electoral Commissioner may direct that electoral documents be destroyed if:

• At least 6 months have passed since the declaration of the poll in the election.
• The documents are no longer required by the Electoral Commission for its functions.