It’s your last chance to register to vote for equal marriage in Australia
There’s less than 24 hours left to register to vote in Australia ahead of the postal ballot on same-sex marriage.
Thursday is the final day to register to vote in Australia ahead of the controversial vote on marriage equality, which has been called by Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.
Equality has a lead in the polls, but as the voting method is untested, campaigners are urging people to do all they can to get out the vote before the deadline.
The last day to register for the vote is Thursday, August 24, with ballots expected to be mailed out to registered voters at the end of September.
Ahead of the deadline, the Equality Campaign has encouraged all Australians to enrol and update their details with the Australian Electoral Commission.
Alex Greenwich from the Equality Campaign said: “Australians only have hours left to enrol and update their details to be able to vote for their gay and lesbian friends, family members, colleagues and team mates.
“Supports of marriage equality must make sure they don’t miss out on the opportunity to participate in making history and joining the millions of Australians ready to celebrate fairness and equality.”
Executive director of the Equality Campaign Tiernan Brady said: “Every Australian who supports fairness and equality for all must make sure they and their friends are updated and enrolled.
“Marriage equality will not change anything for the vast majority of Australians, but will make a profound difference to the status and dignity of many.”
Much of the focus has been on young people. Polling has shown youth voters are the strongest supporters of equal marriage, but just.equal says they are less likely to be enrolled to vote, and if they are enrolled their address details are more likely to be wrong.
Overseas Australins are also encouraged to enrol, as the Australian Bureau of Statistics, which is overseeing the postal ballot, has said it will to provide a paperless option for voting.
Ahead of the deadline, Equality Campaign ambassadors Ian Thorpe and Ryan Channing released a video urging all Australian supporters of marriage equality to register and update their electoral details so that they can vote ‘Yes’.
Ian Thrope said: “If you support marriage equality you need to enrol to vote or update your details by August 24 and you can do that online.”
“Every Australian should have the right to take the plunge with the person they love,” Ryan Channing added.
Confused? Check out our explainer, What the hell is going on with same-sex marriage in Australia?
Enrol to vote or update your details today at www.aec.gov.au
