Voice referendum: Exit polls in crucial state for Yes campaign show the contest is tighter than predicted

A crucial must-win state exit poll shows a No vote referendum victory over Parliament.

A total of 115 voters across the Adelaide electorate of Boothby were asked how they voted as they left the four polling stations. 58 registered a No vote while 56 voted for Yes.

The close numbers give a majority of 50.8 percent No versus 49.2 percent for Yes.

South Australia was a key target for both the Yes and No campaigns, as changing the Constitution requires two majorities – a majority of voters plus four of Australia’s six states.

South Australia’s relatively small population, but equal weight as a state, made its votes particularly valuable.

The tight numbers spell trouble for Yes because Boothby is a Labor constituency, currently represented by Louise-Miller Frost.

The exit poll in SA shows there could be a sudden swing towards a No vote in the state

Helen Carpentieri, 60, with her sister Irene Zagotsis, 50, at the Seacliff Uniting Church polling station in the Boothby electorate. Helen said she voted No because of uncertainty about the Voice

The Yes campaign needs to expand its vote total in Labor territory to balance the Conservative electorates leaning more towards No.

For Helen Carpentieri, 60, voting at Seacliff Uniting Church, uncertainty about how the Voice would work pushed her to a No vote.

“I don’t think it’s explained much,” she said.

“We don’t know what he would do.”

Madellen Dawson, voting in Plympton-Glenelg RSL, said other issues such as cost of living pressures were ‘much more important’.

Madeline Dawson, 49, said she voted no because of her concerns about other issues such as the cost of living crisis

Leigh Harris, 59, (left) cast her No vote because she believed Indigenous elders opposed the referendum (Bella, 19, right)

“It (the Voice) will create a division that is unnecessary,” she said.

‘More division than unity’.

Leigh Harris, 59, said she believed Indigenous elders opposed the Voice after she cast her No vote at the Kauri Community and Sports Centre.

“From everything I’ve seen, seniors don’t want it,” she said.

But while the exit poll suggests a narrow victory for No, the sample size is small and Yes voters could deliver a victory for the Voice in this densely populated part of the state.

Trans voter Xavier Bament, who is transitioning to become a man, said his experiences led him to vote Yes.

A double majority is needed to vote in the referendum – most Australians and most states vote Yes

Trans voter Xavier Bament (pictured), who is transitioning to become a man, said his experiences led him to vote Yes

“If the Australian government considered having a voice on trans issues, would I vote yes or no? I would vote yes”, said the 19-year-old.

“It’s the bare minimum.”

At St Mary’s Hall in Glenelg, 94-year-old Jack Schocroft voted Yes.

“I think this is a test of Australia’s maturity,” he said.

South Australia’s Liberal opposition leader David Speirs said he was voting against ‘racial segregation’ as he voted no today.

South Australian Opposition Leader David Speirs (pictured) cast his No vote at the Kauri Community and Sports Center polling station.

“The division is only about race, about racial division, about racism,” he said.

“The DNA of this referendum has been to create a new system for a group of people in our society based on race, that is segregation.

“I believe in the inherent worth of the individual, remove the labels.”

Mr Speirs said he expected South Australia to vote against.

He said he would pursue practical measures to close the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians if the No vote was successful.