Voice to parliament referendum how to vote early pre polling locations date and everything else to


Voice to parliament referendum: When, how and where do I vote


Applications for postal votes opened at 6pm on Monday, September 11, but closed at 6pm on Wednesday, October 11.


Voice to parliament referendum: When, how and where do I vote?


Australia will head to the polls for the Voice to parliament referendum on Saturday for the first referendum held since 1999.


Because it's the first such vote in such a long time, there are plenty of questions around how to vote, whether a vote can be cast early or by post, and when enrolment closes.

This is everything you need to know about voting in this year's referendum.
READ MORE:  Where you can vote on the Voice and snag a democracy sausage  

The referendum will be held on Saturday, October 14, when polling places will be open from 8am to 6pm.  (Penny Stephens)


When is the referendum and when do I have to vote?


The referendum will be held on Saturday, October 14 , when polling places will be open from 8am to 6pm. 


Early voting has already begun, with early voting centres having first opened on October 2 in some states and on October 3 in others.


The first ballots in the referendum were actually cast before early voting began, as remote voting started on September 25 to allow as many Australians as possible to vote.

These votes, of course, won't start being counted until polls close.
READ MORE:  AEC warns Aussies against wearing Yes-, No-branded clothing while voting 

What voting options are available?

Much like state and federal elections, at the referendum you can vote:
• In person on polling day 
• In person in the two weeks before polling day 
• Via post
Online voting will not be available – you can only cast your ballot in person or by post.
READ MORE:  'Don't close the door': PM's plea as Voice vote date revealed 

Online voting will not be available – you can only cast your ballot in person or by post. (Alex Ellinghausen)


How can I enrol to vote?


If you're trying to enrol now, unfortunately you're too late; the deadline to do so and update electoral details closed at 8pm on Monday, September 18.


The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) said a record 97.7 per cent of eligible Australians – 17,676,347 people – were registered to vote at the referendum, driven by a surge in the youth and First Nations enrolment rate, the latter of which is also at a record level of 94.1 per cent.


Enrolment for referendums is the same as for elections, so Australians who voted in elections were covered for the referendum without having to create a fresh enrolment.

READ MORE:  What is the Voice to parliament and what will the referendum entail? 

How can I vote early?


Early voting began on Monday, October 2, in the Northern Territory, Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia, and on Tuesday, October 3, in the ACT, New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia.

The second group of jurisdictions had a public holiday on October 2, hence the delay.
To be eligible to vote early, you must fit one of the following criteria on polling day:

    
  
  • Be outside the electorate where you are enrolled to vote
    • 
  
  • Be more than eight kilometres from a polling place
    • 
  
  • Be travelling
    • 
  
  • Be unable to leave your workplace to vote on voting day
    • 
  
  • Be seriously ill, infirm or due to give birth shortly (or caring for someone who is)
    • 
  
  • Be a patient in hospital and can't vote at the hospital
    • 
  
  • Have religious beliefs that prevent you from attending a polling place
    • 
  
  • Be in prison serving a sentence of less than three years or otherwise detained
    • 
  
  • Be a silent elector
    • 
  
  • Have a reasonable fear for your safety or wellbeing
    • 



If you are eligible to vote early in person, you need to simply go to a polling place after early votes open during the polling place's opening hours.


The AEC also sends out teams to collect the votes of Australian residents who live in remote areas – this began on Monday, September 25.

More information about remote voting is available on the Electoral Commission's website .
READ MORE:  How to make sure your Voice vote gets counted 

You don't need to create a separate enrolment for referendums. (Justin McManus) If you're enrolled to vote in elections, then you're also covered for the referendum, although you'll need to make sure your details are up to date. (Nine)


Can I do a postal vote?

Yes – but only if you've already applied for one.

The eligibility criteria for postal votes is the same as for early votes, however unlike an early in-person vote, you had to apply for a postal vote.


Applications for postal votes opened at 6pm on Monday, September 11, but closed at 6pm on Wednesday, October 11.

The AEC started mailing out postal vote packs on September 26.

These postal votes need to be completed on or before Saturday and then mailed off so the AEC receives them no later than 13 days after referendum day.


The AEC will accept postal votes as late as 13 days after Saturday to ensure it receives votes from those overseas.


If you were planning on doing a postal vote but didn't apply for one in time, you'll now have to either vote early, or in person on Saturday.