'Unsound mind' takes 38,000 off vote roll

More than 38,000 people have been removed from the electoral roll over the past four years because they are of "unsound mind".

New figures released by the Australian Electoral Commission show in 2013/14 - in the lead-up to the 2013 federal election - 15,966 voters were taken off the roll on the grounds they "do not understand the nature and significance of enrolment and voting".

The figure for the past four years was 38,108 with the highest figure being in Victoria (10,420) followed by NSW (9090).

Being taken off the roll involves a form being lodged with the AEC which includes a supporting medical certificate signed by a doctor.