Enrollment numbers are at record highs yet, the trust voters have in politicians has hit a 50 year low.
Election 2019 is just weeks away. But, many people say they are too disillusioned to care.
Professor Ariadne Vromen from the University of Sydney says political infighting and a stream of leadership spills has put Australians off mainstream politics.
A series of studies have charted just how far politicians have fallen out of favour with the public. The University of Canberra found only 41 per cent of Australians are satisfied with the state of democracy here.
While a Grattan Institute report says just a quarter of voters believe politicians will do the right thing. Trust in government, it found, is at its lowest point in half a century.
The 2016 election saw the highest ever numbers of informal votes - more than 700-thousand – recorded. Dr Lauren Rosewarne from the University of Melbourne says that will likely grow on May 18.
Voter apathy may appear to be at an all time high, but academics say the situation isn't dire.
In fact, the electoral commission says 97 per cent of eligible Australians are enrolled to vote this election, including a record number of 18 to 24 year olds. That makes it the most complete electoral role in history.
And Dr Jill Sheppard from Australian National University says finding a way to reconnect with those voters, could provide politicians a strong chance to clinch the election.
