Costs of general elections, 37th (2000) to 43rd (2019) – CEO Appearance on the Main Estimates 2020–2021
Costs of general elections, 37th (2000) to 43rd (2019)
Majority Governments
Minority Governments
Majority Governments
Estimated
37th GE (2000)
38th GE (2004)
39th GE (2006)
40th GE (2008)
41st GE (2011)
42nd GE (2015)
43rd GE (2019)
Number of Electoral Districts
301
308
308
308
308
338
338
Number of Electors on Final List
21,243,473
22,466,621
23,054,615
23,677,639
24,257,592
25,939,742
27,373,058
Number of Voters
12,997,185
13,683,570
14,908,703
13,929,093
14,823,408
17,711,983
18,350,359
EC Headquarters and Field Offices ($ M)
$175.8
$223.1
$227.2
$230.3
$229.3 (a)
$367.6 (b)
$436.8 (c)
Reimbursements to Parties and Candidates ($ M)
$24.8
$56.2
$53.0
$56.3
$60.4 (d)
$104.1 (e)
$71.1 (f)
Total Cost of Election ($ M)
$200.6
$279.3
$280.2
$286.6
$289.7
$471.7
$507.9
Cost per Elector ($)
$9.44
$12.43
$12.15
$12.10
$11.94
$18.18
$18.56
Costs in Constant 2019 Dollars: Total Cost of Election ($ M)
$288.1
$362.4
$349.3
$342.9
$331.8
$502.6
$507.9
Costs in Constant 2019 Dollars: Cost per Elector ($)
$13.56
$16.13
$15.15
$14.48
$13.68
$19.37
$18.56
Cost Comparison Note: Although the bottom line numbers have been adjusted to account for inflation (see Costs in Constant 2019 Dollars), there are other factors that influence the costs of general elections. Key factors are the number of electoral districts and polling stations, legislative changes, service improvements to electors, the length of the electoral calendar, increases to fees and allowances paid to thousands of election workers, and the number of candidates and political parties eligible for reimbursement of election expenses.
Explanation of Cost Increase between 42nd GE (2015) and 41st GE (2011) : EC Headquarters and Field Offices ($ M):
Cost Increase between GEs
Cost ($ M)
42nd GE (2015)
367.6 (b)
41st GE (2011)
$229.3 (a)
Difference
$138.3
Key Factors
Service Improvements (incl. compliance and accessibility)
$36.3
Inflation, Elector Growth, Voter Turnout at Advance Polls
$29.0
IT infrastucture, security, incl. data centre, field equipment, Web hosting