BROPHY Family & Youth Services in Warrnambool is encouraging people to make sure they are registered to take part in the upcoming same-sex marriage vote.
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Thursday August 24 is the final day for people to register to vote or to check their electoral role details are correct.
In the last Federal Election, the Australian Electoral Commission estimates that more than 800,000 people who were eligible to vote, didn’t register to vote.
Brophy’s Safe In The South-West co-ordinator Lyne Eales said people need to vote.
“People need to go online and either register or check the information there is correct,” Ms Eales said.
“I would encourage people to vote and have their say on this very important issue.”
Ms Eales has urged members of the LGBTIQ+ to stay connected with each other and their support networks in the lead-in to the vote.
“There has been a lot of negative chatter,” Ms Eales said.
Who will be able to vote?
The voluntary survey will cover all Australians on the electoral roll.
You are eligible to enrol 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.
- If you are an Australian living overseas, you must have registered an international address to participate in the postal vote.
You can enrol to vote, or change your personal details, by visiting the Australian Electoral Commission website.
When must I be on the electoral roll to take part in the vote?
You must be registered before 6pm on August 24 to participate.
How long does it take?
Literally a minute. It took me 1 min and 36 seconds.
When will I get to vote?
Your ballot papers could arrive as early as September 12.
For your vote to be counted, you have until November 7 to post it back. A result would be returned by November 15.
Who will oversee the postal survey?
The Australian Bureau of Statistics will be responsible for polling the country on whether the law should be changed to allow same-sex couples to marry.
Is voting compulsory?
Unlike at elections, where you are legally obliged to vote, you are not required to participate in the marriage survey.
What happens next?
A majority of votes in favour of same-sex marriage is not enough to legislate it.
If the postal survey finds more than half of participants in favour, then MPs would be granted a free vote on a same-sex marriage bill. It is expected such a bill would pass both houses of parliament and become law.
If you’ve not yet registered to vote, go do it now.
If you’ve already registered that’s fantastic news but please help us to remind others by sharing this story using the #YourVoiceYourVote.
Gayle Tomlinson
Editor of the Illawarra Mercury. Scottish but fell in love with Dharawal Land. Send us your feedback and questions. Subscribe so we can continue to speak up for the Illawarra.
Editor of the Illawarra Mercury. Scottish but fell in love with Dharawal Land. Send us your feedback and questions. Subscribe so we can continue to speak up for the Illawarra.
