2024 is the Biggest Election Year in World History – Here’s How it Affects Australia

​​Regardless of where you live in Australia, there’s a good chance you’ll be heading to the ballot box this year. Make sure your vote counts.

In 2024 across Australia, there’ll be three local government elections, four state elections, and possibly one federal election. Oh, and one First Nations Voice Election, to keep you on your toes.

But it’s not just Aussies who are headed to the poll. Worldwide, 2024 is the ‘biggest election year in history’, with between two and four billion people voting in country-wide elections. Major global players, including India, Russia, Canada, the United States of America, and maybe even Australia, will head to federal elections. The outcomes of these elections will shape the future policies of nations worldwide, which will have long-term effects on billions of people and our planet. But let’s focus on our home turf – we’ve got enough going on in Australia!

There must be a mistake. Cannot see the Pats and Walks party

Who’s going to the polls?Australia is one of the few countries with compulsory voting, meaning if you’re eligible to vote but don’t, you’ll receive a fine. Whilst having to vote might seem like a pain, it’s a beautiful thing. It means that heading into an election, the assumption is that everyone will have their say, rather than having to be convinced why they should vote at all.

Every Australian state and territory, except Western Australia (unless a federal election is announced), will vote in one or more government elections this year. The Australian system revolves around three levels of government with differing term lengths: local government AKA council (four-year terms), state (four-year terms), and federal (three-year terms). At each level of government, key decisions that shape our lives and futures are made. Amongst the busyness of life, elections can creep up on us, and then we can feel overwhelmed and rush our decision.

So here’s a cheat sheet on what’s to come in 2024 across this continent and why you should get amped about elections.

Via the Parliamentary Education Office

Starting Small: Local Government Elections

In 2024, Victoria, NSW, and Queensland will hold Local Government Elections, voting for new councillors in 282 different Local Government Areas (LGAs) and appointing new mayors to major cities including Brisbane, Gold Coast, and Melbourne.

Local government is often dismissed as dealing with only ‘roads, rates, and rubbish’. However, local government plays a huge part in shaping how our communities look, from planning regulations to public and active transport, waste management, parks, and sporting facilities. They can also vote to take a stand on critical issues, such as declaring a climate emergency or deciding whether the LGA celebrates January 26th. Council is where progressive ideas such as not putting organic waste into landfills are implemented, eventually becoming mainstream and significantly reducing carbon emissions.

State Elections: Bigger Area, Bigger Issues

Four states and territories are heading to the polls this year, with Tasmania kicking things off this weekend, followed by the Northern Territory, Queensland, and the ACT. If a state election is happening around you, you’ll know about it.

As we experienced during COVID, state governments make critical decisions about public services within our communities. This includes public infrastructure, services such as schools, forests, mining, public transport, and utilities. As taxpayers contributing to these services, we must vote for the people and the parties representing how we want these services to be distributed and funded.

It’s best to know how to vote before you walk in and get bombarded with info

Election Issues in 2024

In Tasmania, the future of native forests is a key election issue. Both the major parties, Liberal and Labor, support the native timber industry and are receiving considerable backlash from environmental groups such as the Bob Brown Foundation and more progressive political parties such as the Greens. Scorecards ranking different parties and candidates on their policies abound, influencing how many people in lutruwita/Tasmania will vote.

Native forest preservation is a prominent issue for Tasmania, and elections are a way to have a say on the matter | Via Bob Brown Foundation

With a lot on the line when it comes to renewable energy infrastructure, land clearing, and access to affordable housing and food, the outcome of these state elections could change the pace at which QLD, TAS, the NT, and the ACT address key issues affecting people right now. So rather than feel a sense of dread at the thought of the pre-election campaigning, bad television ads, and junk mail, see it as an opportunity to make a positive difference in your council, state, or territory.

Read more: Lee Point Camp in Darwin is a Place of Decolonial Climate Activism

Regardless of what level of government you’re voting for, remember that these people represent the community that elected them. So rather than getting to the ballot box and feeling overwhelmed by the range of people and parties on the ballot, do your homework and identify the candidates that represent your values, and you’ll go in to bat on the issues you care about.

What’s this got to do with me?

With all this in mind, what does it mean for us, the constituents, the voters, the shapers of our society? Voting is one of the most powerful tools at our disposal when making lasting change. The representatives you vote in are public servants, people appointed to represent your neighbourhood in council elections, or larger areas at state and federal levels.

The decisions that these people make on our behalf affect every corner of our lives – from how many bins we have to the rates we pay, if Australia Day is observed, to how much we get paid at work, how much tax we pay, who you can (or can’t) marry, and importantly, the health of the planet we live on. Politicians will go a long way to secure your vote, so make sure you make them work for it.

And if you’re a keen bean, why not get involved in the process? Volunteer for a candidate you’re passionate about, support environmental groups to educate people about what policies and parties will go into bat for their campaigns, and most importantly, treat your vote as the precious, change-making, life-changing decision it is.

Read more: 5 Ways to Participate in Democracy That Aren’t Voting