Community & Business
10 October, 2023
It’s time to vote on The Voice
AFTER nearly a year of hearing from both sides of The Voice debate, this Saturday is the day Australia will decide.
Australian Electoral Commissioner Tom Rogers is encouraging voters to plan their vote for the first referendum Australia has had since 1999.
“Federal referendums are in-person events just like elections – this is the first time the country is coming together in nearly a quarter of a century to have their say on potential Constitutional change,” Mr Rogers said.
“If you can vote on October 14, then that’s what you should do. However, if your circumstances might prevent you from doing that then you need to think about the early voting options available and vote according to your circumstances.
“Remember, it is compulsory to vote for all enrolled Australians.”
Early voting for the 2023 Referendum has started, with Tableland locations for pre-polling included on this page.
Polling places will be open at 8am and close at 6pm (sharp) on October 14.
All centre locations, opening days and hours are available on the AEC website www.aec.gov.au/referendums/voting.htm#start
EARLY POLLING
EARLY voting for the Voice To Parliament Referendum has begun, with many locals hitting the booths to place their Yes or No votes. Here are your early polling booths:
MAREEBA
Mareeba RSL (former United Church) 189-193 Walsh Street, Mareeba.
Opening hours: Wednesday 11 October - Thursday 12 October 8.30am – 5.30pm and
Friday 13 October 8.30am – 6pm
ATHERTON
St Mary's - Stan Moses Hall Atherton, Stan Moses Hall, Vernon Street, Atherton.
Opening hours: Wednesday 11 October - Thursday 12 October 8.30 am–5.30 pm and
Friday 13 Oct 8.30 am–6 pm
COOKTOWN
Gungarde Community Centre Aboriginal Corporation 92 Charlotte St, Cooktown.
Opening hours: Wednesday 11 October – Thursday 12 October
8.30 am–5.30 pm
Fri 13 Oct 8.30am–6 pm
You will be provided with a free pencil at the polling booth to complete your ballot paper. If you wish to complete your ballot paper using a pen, you will need to bring your own.
If you need help to vote you can bring someone you trust with you or ask a polling official.
On voting day you can cast your vote at any polling place within your state or territory.
WHAT YOU SAID
IN an independent online poll run by The Express newspaper on the 2023 Referendum, overwhelmingly people voted NO to the proposed law:
To alter the Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice.
Running for more than two weeks , 95 answers were received, with 89% voting NO while 11 % voted YES.
The poll closed at 9am on Friday 6 October.
