2023 Voice referendum explainer: When, how and where can I vote? Your questions answered.

By ANNA USHER

Lower north shore voters will head to the polls for the Voice to Parliament referendum on Saturday 14 October.

For Australians aged under 42, it will be their first vote in a referendum.

It’s been 24 years since the last referendum was held in Australia.

Any change to Australia’s Constitution is an historic moment, and there have only been eight changes to it since 1901.

Because it’s the first referendum in a generation, we’re receiving loads of questions around where and when to vote, if a vote can be cast early and when enrolment closes.

Here’s everything you need to know.

What is a referendum?

A referendum is a question put to eligible Australian voters that has the power to change the constitution, the body of rules that sets out how the country is governed.

Holding a referendum is the only way for the government to amend the constitution.

What is the Indigenous Voice to Parliament referendum question?

The question Australians will be asked to vote on in the Voice referendum was announced by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on 23 March 2023.

We will be asked to vote YES or NO to the following question:

A Proposed Law: to alter the Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice. Do you approve this proposed alteration?

That would see the following chapter added to the Constitution.

129 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice

In recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Peoples of Australia:

1. there shall be a body, to be called the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice;
2. the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice may make representations to the Parliament and the Executive Government of the Commonwealth on matters relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples;
3. the Parliament shall, subject to this Constitution, have power to make laws with respect to matters relating to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice, including its composition, functions, powers and procedures.

Do I have to vote?

Yes, like elections, voting in referendums is compulsory for all Australian citizens aged 18 and over.

People who are enrolled to vote in elections are already enrolled for the referendum.

You can check your enrolment details are correct or enrol for the first time on the AEC website.

A record 97.5 per cent of voters are enrolled according to the Australian Electoral Commission.

This includes an estimated 94.1 per cent of Indigenous voters – the first time this figure has been above 90 per cent in Australia’s history.

When can I vote?

Early voting will begin two weeks prior (October 2), except in states with a public holiday that Monday, in which case early voting will begin the next day.

If you haven’t enrolled yet or need to update your details, you have until 8pm on Monday 18 September to do so.

Postal voters can apply for a postal vote from the day the writs are issued (September 11).

Voting in remote areas will begin from the 25th of September.

How can I enrol to vote?

The deadline for enrolling to vote and updating your electoral details is closing fast; Australians have until 8pm on Monday, September 18, to do so.

To enrol to vote or update your details, you need to go to the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) website.

You can also check your enrolment details there.

You don’t need to create a separate enrolment for referendums – if you’re enrolled to vote in elections, then you’re also covered for the referendum, although you’ll need to make sure your details are up to date.

What voting options are available?

Much like state and federal elections, at the referendum you can vote:

• In person on polling day
• In person in the two weeks before polling day
• Via post

Online voting will not be available – you can only cast your ballot in person or by post.

Where can I vote locally?

The lower north shore will have a number of polling booths, but the AEC is yet to confirm exact locations. In the past, voters have cast their ballots at Middle Harbour Public School, Mosman Drill Hall, Mosman Public School, St Clements Anglican Church, Cammeray Public School, Neutral Bay Public School and Crows Nest Uniting Church.

MOSMAN AND NORTH SYDNEY LGA POLLING PLACES

Neutral Bay Public School
175 Ben Boyd Rd, Neutral Bay

Mosman Public School
27 Belmont Rd, Mosman

Mosman Square Seniors Centre
1 Mosman Sq, Military Rd, Mosman

Warringah Bowling Club Mosman
74-82 Bradleys Head Rd, Mosman

Mosman Village Church
144 Raglan St, Mosman

Balmoral Scout Hall
Balmoral Scout Hall, The Esplanade, Mosman

Middle Harbour Public School
8 Hale Rd, Mosman

St Peter’s Anglican Church
29 Waters Rd, Cremorne

Beauty Point Public School
17 Medusa St, Mosman

Neutral Bay Uniting Church
49A Yeo St, Neutral Bay

St Augustine’s Anglican Church Hall
75 Shellcove Rd, Neutral Bay

Forsyth Park Community Centre
2B Montpelier St, Neutral Bay

Seaforth Public School
37 Kempbridge Ave, Seaforth

Anzac Park Public School
2 Anzac Ave, Cammeray

Cammeraygal High School
192 Pacific Hwy, Crows Nest

Cammeray Scout Hall
4 Cammeray Rd, Cammeray

St Aloysius College (Junior School)
29 Burton St, Kirribilli

North Sydney Girls High School
365 Pacific Hwy, Crows Nest

McMahons Point Community Centre (Upper level)
165 Blues Point Rd, Mcmahons Point

Cammeray Public School
68 Palmer St, Cammeray

Middle Harbour Public School
8 Hale Rd, Mosman

Crows Nest Uniting Church
122 Shirley Rd, Wollstonecraft

Waverton Uniting Church
75 Bay Rd, Waverton

Naremburn School
250 Willoughby Rd, Naremburn

Northbridge Public School
296A Sailors Bay Rd, Northbridge

St Mark’s Anglican Church Hall
17 Tunks St, Northbridge

TAFE NSW St Leonards
213 Pacific Hwy, St Leonards

What will voting day be like?

There will be more than 7,000 polling places open on voting day, staffed by more than 100,000 temporary workers.

Polling booths will open from 8am, and you will be able to cast a vote on the day until 6pm local time.

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