Roach v Electoral Commissioner

Roach v Electoral Commissioner (2007) was a case where the High Court of Australia considered whether certain restrictions on prisoners voting violated the Australian Constitution’s guarantee of the right to vote. The Court ruled that the blanket ban on all prisoners voting was unconstitutional because it unjustifiably limited the democratic right of prisoners serving shorter sentences. The decision clarified that voting rights can be limited, but such restrictions must be reasonable and proportionate to the goal. This case emphasizes the importance of balancing effective governance with protecting fundamental democratic rights.