The Voice referendum: Little-known voting rule Aussies must abide by on Saturday
An Indigenous elder was asked to leave his local polling station this week for wearing campaign clothing.
Aussies are being reminded of a little-known voting rule ahead of The Voice to Parliament referendum — with the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) warning voters will be asked to leave if they don't abide by it on Saturday.
On voting day it is an offence for individuals to attempt to sway a fellow voters opinion inside the polling place, or within six metres of its entrance, with those who choose to publicly express which way they plan to vote through their clothing more at risk of being asked to leave by staff.
"Our advice to voters is to not wear campaign clothing," a AEC spokesperson told Yahoo News Australia.
What will happen if I wear campaign clothing on Saturday?
The act of wearing campaign clothing to a polling station is not an offence alone, however, the AEC have made the recommendation in a bid to help voters avoid any disruption while they cast their vote.
"If a voter simply wears campaign material into the polling place, casts their vote and leaves it likely won’t contravene the act," the spokesperson explained. "However, if a voter wears that material into a polling place and is then seen talking with someone inside about it, or gesturing to it, that could be construed as campaigning."
If an official worker deems a voter is in breach of this rule, they will be asked to leave and change their clothes before returning back to the polling station to vote. Any who do not wear campaign clothing but are believed to be canvassing for votes will also be approached by on site staff.
Indigenous elder asked to leave while casting early vote
This week an Indigenous elder was turned away from his polling station for wearing a Yes campaign shirt, the ABC reports.
Yagara and Bundjalung elder, Uncle Valentine Brown, 73, attended his local polling station in Brisbane on Tuesday when official workers told him to go home and change his clothes before returning to cast his vote.
"We were just going around peacefully, doing our business to vote," Mr Brown told the ABC, who insisted he was not campaigning and only entered the premises to vote. "All I wanted to do was put my name down and put my vote in the ballot box."
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The AEC confirmed they are aware of the situation and reinforced their recommendation that campaign clothing would be best left at home so voters can have a seamless experience at the polling station.
"The AEC understands that passions are often high around referendum events, and people want to proudly display their voting intentions – either way – when coming to vote."
"Please don’t fall foul of the law. Simply wear or display campaign material outside the polling place instead."
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