THE 6 STEP referendum DAY GUIDE.
Just like for federal and state elections, we’ve got you from the moment you arrive, until the moment you leave. Here's what to expect on 14 October (or before, if you’re voting early)
Step 1: Preparation
WHERE CAN I VOTE?
You can vote at any AEC polling location. Find one here.
The easiest and quickest way to vote is always to go to a polling booth within the electorate you are voting in.
If you are not going to be in your electorate, in South Australia, or even if you’re going to be overseas for the election, or if you won't be able to get to a polling booth, click here to find out about postal voting. NOTE: POSTAL VOTE APPLICATIONS CLOSE 6PM WEDNESDAY 11 OCTOBER.
WHAT DO I BRING?
All you need to bring is yourself! You’re welcome to bring your own writing utensil if you’d like to though.
Step 2: 'How to Vote' forms
The moment you arrive, there will be a bunch of people handing you 'how to vote cards'. These are recommendations from the campaigns on how they would like you to vote and why.
They are NOT mandatory.
Feel free to refuse to take them.
Feel free to use them.
Feel free to recycle them.
Feel free to fold them into unique pieces of origami.
But you don't HAVE to do anything with them.
Bonus YACSA tip:
'How to vote' cards make fantastic paper aeroplanes.
Step 3: Queuing
You’ll probably have to hop in a que to get into the polling booth.
Depending on the time and location, the queue might be very long.
Brace yourself.
Bonus YACSA tip:
We recommend sharing Smashed Avocado stories with people around you to pass the time (hi, if you’re reading this while waiting to vote).
Step 4: Ticking your name off
Once you get into the polling station, you’ll walk up to the AEC official at the desk.
They will find you on the electoral roll and cross off your name, give you your ballot paper, and send you on your way to a small, cardboard voting booth.
Bonus YACSA tip:
There's thousands of people in their book so it might take them a while to find your name. They've had a long day. Be nice to the election officials.
Step 5: Actually voting
Voting in a referendum is a cake walk compared to a regular state, federal, and even local electorate.
There’s no numbering, no preferencing and no second ballot to fill out.
All you need to do is write ‘yes’ or ‘no’ in the box on the ballot you’re given. We’ve got a more in depth look at that here.
If you make a mistake, you can always ask the official for a new sheet.
When you're done, take your ballot papers and put them in the AEC ballot box.
Bonus YACSA tip:
Skip the graffiti on your ballot papers, ultimately only makes the election officials job harder when they’re counting votes. The instructions on your ballot ask you to write ‘yes’ or ‘no’ , following those instructions makes sure there’s no confusion about which way you’ve voted.
There are waaaaaay better ways to express your political views or frustrations - like becoming a YACSA young member! (click here to sign up!)
Step 6: Reward yourself
Congratulations on democracy-ing!
We recommend grabbing a democracy sausage before you leave (or an alternative that fits ya dietary requirements).
The democracy sausage is a time honoured tradition unique to Australian democracy, where the local sausage sizzle is a vital part of the voting experience - and it helps raise money for the local school/community group.
If you’re really lucky you might find a democracy coffee, falafel or cupcake!
The beginning of the count will be broadcast starting later in the evening, but we may not have a confirmed result until up to 13 days later. TV and news organisations have their own count methods and may call the result earlier, but the AEC won’t announce or declare any result until it is mathematically impossible to have a different outcome (which takes time).
