While many early voting locations will stay open right up until 14 October, the cut-off for mail-in votes is fast approaching.
Here’s what you need to know.
When do referendum postal applications close?
Postal vote applications close at 6pm local time on Wednesday, 11 October.
Who can apply for a postal vote?
There are two types of postal voters:
- General postal voters — people who are signed up for postal voting for all federal elections and referendums.
- Single postal voters — people who are doing a postal vote as a one-off for an electoral event (in this case, it’s the Voice referendum).
You’re eligible to register as a general postal voter if you are already on the electoral roll and are unable to attend a polling place because you’re:
- enrolled at an address more than 20kms away from a polling place
- a patient at a hospital or nursing home and unable to travel to a polling place
- unable to travel due to being infirm at home
- caring for a seriously ill or infirm person
- serving a prison sentence of less than three years
- registered as a silent elector
- unable to attend a polling place due to religious beliefs
- unable to sign your name due to a physical incapacity
- registered as an overseas elector
- a member of the defence force, or a defence civilian serving outside Australia
- an Australian Federal Police officer or staff member serving outside Australia.
You can apply for a single-event postal vote if you can’t get to a polling place on voting day because you are:
- outside the electorate where you are enrolled to vote
- more than 8kms from a polling place
- are travelling
- can’t leave your workplace to vote
- are seriously ill, infirm or due to give birth shortly (or are caring for someone who is)
- are a patient in hospital and can’t vote at the hospital
- have religious beliefs that prevent you from attending a polling place
- are in prison serving a sentence of less than three years or otherwise detained
- are a silent elector
- have a reasonable fear for your safety.
How do you apply for a postal vote?
The easiest way is to do it online at the AEC website.
Alternatively, you can get a paper postal vote application at any AEC office, print this downloadable form to fill out or call the AEC on 13 23 26 to be sent a paper postal vote application.
As with online applications, paper applications must be received by the AEC by 6pm local time on 11 October.
You can return paper applications by mail, fax or at your nearest AEC office.
When will you get your postal vote form?
Once you successfully apply for a postal vote, the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) will send you a postal vote pack.
The packs are sent by Priority Post via Australia Post but the AEC recommends to allow “at least a few” days for your postal vote pack to reach you.
If you provided your email or phone number on your postal vote application, the AEC will send you updates on your application — as long as you didn’t opt out of notifications.
You can check on the status of your postal vote pack through the AEC portal using either your 10 number PVA receipt ID supplied on application, the mobile number or email used to apply for postal voting.
However, the AEC is unable to provide tracking information once voter packs have been handed to Australia Post.
When do you have to return your postal voter pack by?
In order for your postal vote to be counted, the AEC must receive your vote by the 13th day after referendum voting day — that will be 27 October.
But you need to complete your postal vote on or before voting day.
Do you need a witness in order to vote via post?
Yes.
If you’re voting via post, you must have a witness who is on the electoral role.
The witness is required to make sure you fill out your own ballot paper.
The witness will need to sign and date your postal vote certificate in order for your vote to be counted.
If you are outside Australia, other acceptable witnesses include:
- an officer of the Australian Defence Force or of the naval, military or air forces of a commonwealth country,
- a person appointed or engaged under the Public Service Act 1999,
- a member of the civil or public service of a state or territory or of a commonwealth country,
- a Justice of the Peace for a state or territory or a commonwealth country,
- a minister of religion or medical practitioner resident in a state or territory or a commonwealth country,
- an Australian citizen.
Can you vote online for the Voice referendum?
No.
Australia’s electoral laws do not allow for online voting.
Can you vote via telephone for the Voice referendum?
Only if you are blind, have low vision or are stationed in Antarctica.
If you fall into one of those categories, you must call the AEC to register as a telephone voter.
The number to call is 1800 913 993 domestically and +61 2 6271 4611 if overseas.
Will you get a fine if you don’t vote in the referendum?
Voting in the referendum is compulsory for all Australian citizens aged 18 plus.
If you are enrolled to vote, fail to do so and are unable to provide a valid reason, you may face a $20 fine.
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