MP's niece seeks end to vote charges

The niece of Independent federal MP Cathy McGowan is seeking to have alleged electoral fraud charges against her dropped.

Australian Federal Police charged Maggie Ellen McGowan, 27, and friend Sophie Petrea Fuchsen, 24, with providing false and misleading information because the pair allegedly voted in the seat of Indi while living in Melbourne during the 2013 election.

They were charged following claims of voter fraud in the seat after Cathy McGowan's surprise win over the then sitting Liberal frontbencher Sophie Mirabella by 439 votes.

McGowan's lawyer Robert Stary called on Friday for the charges to be dropped.

He told the Melbourne Magistrates Court both women were students at the time and the Australian Electoral Commission website clearly said students didn't need to change their "home" address.

While they lived in the city, it was only because they studied there, and always called Wodonga home and returned often, he said.

Mr Stary told Magistrate Robert Kumar the prosecution's case was weak.

"If it has to be contested, it will be contested hard," Mr Starry said.

Prosecutor Thomas Crouch requested an adjournment so police could decide whether the case could proceed.

Magistrate Kumar adjourned the matter until April 5 and said the prosecution had a lot of work to do.

"There are quite a few things to iron out," he said.

Both women are excused from attending the next hearing as McGowan now works as a lawyer in the Northern Territory and Fuchsen will be studying in France.

They made no comment as they left the court.

WHAT THE AEC WEBSITE SAYS:

* You should enrol for the address which is your permanent residential address.

* This is the address you intend to return to even if you are living somewhere else temporarily.

* For example, while studying at university you can remain on the electoral roll for your home address.

* Remember you must vote for the electorate you are enrolled in.