Same sex marriage postal votes 'sent to dead people'
Same-sex marriage postal vote forms have reportedly been sent to dead people, casting doubts over the accuracy of the Federal Government’s $122 million survey.
In the latest hiccup for the poll, a Canberra woman claims a form was sent to a now-deceased former resident.
“Got our postal surveys. Including one for the former owner of the house who died eight years ago,” Catherine Beasley wrote on Facebook.
ACT woman Hannah Zurcher was one of many Australians who reported receiving multiple forms in the post.
Included in the batch was one envelope addressed to a former tenant who had died.
Ms Zurcher told the Canberra Times the mistake was concerning.
"If we're going to claim that this is the best way to assess the feelings of the nation, we need to make sure we're actually accurate and representative," she said.
An Australian Electoral Commission spokesman told the Canberra Times the forms were sent out based on information on the electoral roll, which is updated according to the Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages.
"An update on recent deaths was also obtained by the AEC to account for the close of rolls for the marriage survey," the spokesman said.
Last week, a Melbourne mother found 17 unopened same-sex marriage postal vote envelopes dumped on her property.
"The upsetting thing is not so much how it happened but that it shows how completely inefficient the process is," the Brunswick woman said.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics, which is coordinating the national survey, has warned people of opening forms not addressed to them.
"If you receive a survey form not addressed to you, do the right thing and just return it to sender. It's illegal to open others' mail, unless you have their express permission as a trusted person," deputy statistician Jonathan Palmer said.
If a duplicate form is received from the same voter, the previous form will become invalid and not counted, the ABS confirmed.
"Stealing or tampering with mail is a criminal offence that carries serious penalties," Mr Palmer said.
The Bureau of Statistics advised anyone who has yet to receive a form to request a replacement from The Australian Bureau of Statistics or call 1800 572 113 until October 20.
The result of the voluntary postal survey on same-sex marriage is due on November 15.
