Australians have been warned they could be fined if they refuse to take part in the upcoming Voice referendum.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced on Wednesday that the referendum will be held on October 14.
Australia’s last referendum was held 24 years ago in 1999 to decide whether the country should become a republic.
Australian Electoral Commissioner Tom Rogers noted that 6.4 million registered Australians were not of voting age – meaning this will be the first referendum for many.
Several questions have been raised about how the referendum will work, what Australians should do on the day and what happens if they don’t vote.
Daily Mail Australia has compiled a list of some of the most frequently asked questions ahead of the October 14 referendum.
About 6.4 million Australians will vote in their first referendum on October 24 to determine whether Australia should adopt an Indigenous Voice in Parliament.
How to vote?
The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) states: ‘Formal voting instructions for the referendum must clearly state either ‘Yes’ or ‘No’, in full, in English.’
Other marks indicating ‘the voter’s intention is clear’, such as a tick or a cross, will be counted but can be challenged later.
Voters will vote ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ on the question: ‘An Act proposed: to amend the Constitution to recognize the First Peoples of Australia by creating an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice. Do you approve of this proposed change?’
There will be only one question on the ballot.
Who should vote?
All Australian citizens over the age of 18 who are registered to vote must vote in the referendum.
Polling stations will be available on the day of the referendum and are usually available in local schools, churches, community halls and public buildings.
Those who cannot make it to the polls can choose to vote by mail, early voting and mobile voting.
Voters will be asked to write ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ in English in response to the question on the ballot paper
What happens if I don’t vote?
Failure to vote without sufficient reason will result in a fine from the Australian Electoral Commission.
Citizens who did not vote in last year’s federal election without a valid reason received a $20 fine.
If left unpaid, the fine can reach more than $200 along with court fees.
What do I bring to my polling station?
Voters just have to behave themselves. They will be given a ballot paper, pencil and instructions on how to vote at the polling station.
Once at the polling station, voters will be asked three questions.
- What is your full name?
- Where do you live?
- Have you voted in this referendum before?
After answering the questions, the voter will be marked from the electoral list.
More than 50 percent of voters and 50 percent of states must vote “Yes” for the proposed law to pass
How many people must vote ‘Yes’ for the referendum to pass?
Australian referendums are held on the ‘double majority’ test.
This means that more than 50 percent of voters and 50 percent of states must vote ‘Yes’ for the proposed law to pass.
For example, if 60 per cent of citizens in Australia and a majority of residents in at least four states vote ‘Yes’ – this would pass the double majority test.
The latest poll numbers show that Voice for Parliament is on the right track to victory.
In a recent poll, Victoria was the only state to back a Yes vote.
Nationally, No leads with 47 percent, with Yes with 43 percent, while 10 percent of people are still undecided.
Can I change the wording of the question on the ballot?
Voters who change the referendum question by adding or deleting words risk having their vote deducted.
“(Changing the wording) is likely to only have the effect of making that voter’s intent in relation to the actual issue unclear,” the AEC says.
“Doing so would likely lead to an informal vote.”
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