An estimated 18,089, 941 are eligible to vote in the Voice Referendum on Saturday, October 14. a record 97.7 per cent of eligible Australians are enrolled to vote in the upcoming 2023 referendum.
More than 8.4 million people on the electoral roll were not enrolled when the last referendum was held in 1999 – this is more than 47 per cent of the electoral roll.
The 8.4 million people includes 6.7 million people who were under 18 (or not born) at the time as well as 1.7 million other people who are new to the roll since 1999 – many of whom are new Australian citizens.
To vote, write either “yes’’ or “no” – in full – in the box provided on the referendum ballot paper.
“With many nations around the world campaigning to get even three-quarters of their population enrolled to vote, this result is a continuing source of Australian democratic pride,” Australian Electoral Commissioner Tom Rogers said.
In-person referendum voting day is Saturday, October 14 between 8 am and 6 pm.
The early voting period commenced Monday, October 2 and runs for a two-week period leading up to referendum day.
The King Island polling places are the Town Hall, 10 George Street Currie and in Grassy at the Grassy Fire Station, 6 Fern Tree Drive Grassy.
Postal voting is available for anyone not able to make it to vote in person, either on voting day or during the early voting period. The AEC advises that people should only apply for a postal if they cannot make it to an in-person voting centre.
Voters who are blind or have low vision can cast a vote using the AEC’s dedicated telephone voting service.
The registration process for telephone voting opened Monday, October 2.
Telephone voting is also available for those stationed in Antarctica.It is not available to people who do not meet the above criteria. The number to call is 1800 913 993 domestically and +61 2 6271 4611 if overseas.
If you are overseas for the 2023 referendum, the AEC in conjunction with DFAT and Austrade will be offering in-person voting in a majority of Australian Embassies, Consulates and High Commissions and early voting is available.
If you are overseas and unable to make it to an Australian post it is recommended that you apply for a postal vote.
Postal vote packs will be sent from Australia, so you are encouraged to apply as early as possible.
Voting in a referendum is not compulsory for Australians overseas. If you are unable to vote you should complete and submit an overseas notification form. If you do not inform the AEC, they will write to you asking you to explain why you did not vote.
If you are interstate or outside the electorate where you are enrolled to vote you can vote early or complete a postal vote.
Postal vote applications will remain open until 6 pm on the Wednesday, October 11, 2023.
Political parties or campaign entities may distribute postal vote applications.
They are applications only and are forwarded to the AEC for processing. This is legal. However, the easiest and best way to apply for a postal vote is to do so through the AEC’s online application tool.
Remote voting began on September 25.
Early voting centres open (NT, Tas, Vic and WA) Monday, October 2 (a public holiday in some states).
Early voting centres open (ACT, NSW, Qld and SA) Tuesday, October 3.
The last day for the receipt of postal votes is Friday, October. 27.
It is compulsory by law for all eligible Australian citizens to vote in federal elections, by-elections and referendums.
If you’re enrolled for elections, you’re enrolled for referendums too.
However, you must make sure your details are up to date or enrol for the first time if needed, if you are an Australian citizen, or eligible British subject, aged 18 years and over, and have lived at your address for at least one month.
For voting and referendum information, including checking and updating your enrolment details if required, the Yes and No campaign referendum statements, and the disinformation register go to http://www.aec.gov.au/referendums.