Support for electors with a disability to cast their vote

A range of information and services is available to support electors with a disability to have their say and make their vote count in the 2007 Federal election.

The Electoral Commissioner, Ian Campbell, said these are outlined in ‘Your Official Guide to the 2007 Federal Election’ which is available in a wide variety of accessible formats.

“The Guide provides essential and practical information about the election, including when and where to vote, how to vote if you can’t make it to a polling place on election day and how to complete the ballot papers correctly,” Mr Campbell said.

To order a free audio CD or cassette, large print or Braille copy, or a CD which contains e-text, large print PDF, audio MP3 and Word versions, call the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) on 13 23 26.

Alternatively, audio MP3, e-text and large print PDF versions can be downloaded from the AEC website at www.aec.gov.au.

The list of candidates for the House of Representatives and the Senate is also available in accessible formats for download from the website and telephone order on 13 23 26.

Electors who are unable to enter a polling place because of a physical disability or other conditions, or who need help to vote, are reminded that polling officials are trained to help or you can bring a friend or family member to assist you.

“Make sure your vote counts by asking for help if you need it,” Mr Campbell said.

Electronically assisted voting is now available in the lead up to the Federal election and on election day in 29 locations across Australia to allow people who are blind or have low vision to cast a secret and independent vote.

To find out which early voting centres and polling places have full or assisted disabled access, electronic voting locations and other election information call the AEC on 13 23 26 or visit www.aec.gov.au and go to ‘Information for electors with a disability’.

Callers who are deaf or have a hearing or speech impairment can call through the National Relay Service: TTY users phone 13 36 77 and ask for 13 23 26; Speak and Listen (speech-to-speech relay) voice only users can phone 1300 555 727 and ask for 13 23 26.