Thanks to the more than 8,000 of you who've signed on to become MySpace friends. Your words of encouragement, support and passion for this country – over 1,150 messages all up – have been inspiring to me and my team. It's a great way to connect with people directly all around the country.

Today I'm asking you to help ensure you can exercise your most basic right in our democracy: the right to vote.  Enrolling to vote is, without exaggeration, the single most important way you can make a difference right now.

I know some of you aren't 18 yet, but those who are 17 and over should make sure you're enrolled at your current address; and spread the word to friends, so that you can all have your say on Election Day.

I'm asking you to do this now because this year, your window of opportunity to enrol is going to be alarmingly short.

The Howard Government has passed significant changes to Australia's electoral laws. In the past, the electoral rolls were open for a week after the election was called, in order to allow people to enrol for the first time or to update their enrolment address.

Under Mr Howard's new laws, the electoral roll will now close for new voters on the very day the writs are issued (usually the Monday after the election is called). This means he can call the election on a weekend, and people who are not already enrolled now only have that Monday to act, or they won't have a say at all come Election Day. The new laws also shorten the window to update your enrolment address from one week to just three working days.

If we're not careful, these unfair changes will affect hundreds of thousands of Australians. Last election, 423,975 people sent their enrolment forms in during the week just before the cut-off date. 78,816 of those were new enrolments.

We don't want this election to go down in history as the one that disenfranchised Australians, especially young people. That's why it's vital that everyone check their enrolment details now, and for new voters to get on the roll as soon as they become eligible.

To make it easier, we've listed a few key websites below.

CHECK YOUR ENROLMENT
You can check your enrolment details by clicking on this link: oevf.aec.gov.au

MAKE AMENDMENTS
If changes are required, fill out the form available by clicking on this link: oevf.aec.gov.au

FIRST TIME VOTERS
For all young people aged 17 or 18 years, this is the link for you: www.aec.gov.au/Enrolling_to_vote/How_To_Enrol

OVERSEAS?
If you're living outside Australia, you could lose your right to vote unless you enrol as an "overseas voter".  For more information, and the right forms to complete, visit ALP Abroad: www.alpabroad.org  or go directly to the AEC website for more information www.aec.gov.au/Enrolling_to_vote/Going_overseas

FURTHER HELP OR INFORMATION
Contact the Electoral Commission by phoning 13 23 26, or visit their help page: www.aec.gov.au/About_AEC/Contact_the_AEC/index

SPREAD THE WORD
Please forward this link to your friends so they too can check their enrolment details: oevf.aec.gov.au.

Thanks again for your energy and support. I look forward to blogging regularly.

And keep your comments coming.

KEVIN RUDD