Media release

Referendum voting period update

Updated: 8 October 2023

*Audio and video grabs available via link below.

Millions of Australians have already voted in the 2023 referendum heading into the final week.

  • 2,212,581 people have voted at an early voting centre.
    • This compares to 2.0 million at the same stage of the 2022 federal election.
  • 1,945,823 people have applied for a postal vote so far.
    • This compares to 2.5 million at the same stage of the 2022 federal election.
  • 92,162 people have voted via an AEC mobile polling team.
    • This includes 19,194 in remote communities.
    • Other mobile polling includes aged care facilities, mental health facilities and prisons.

Australian Electoral Commissioner Tom Rogers said that early voting centres will remain open until Friday for people who cannot make it to a pollng place on Saturday 14 October.

“If you’re busy on Saturday or aren’t certain of your circumstances then you need to plan where and when you’ll be able to cast your vote.” Mr Rogers said.

“Voting in a referendum is compulsory.”

Early voting centre locations, their opening days and hours are available on the AEC website.

Audio and visual grabs for use

Other referendum stills and footage is available via the AEC Flickr account.

Postal voting reminder: Time is running out!

The AEC is also reminding Australians planning to cast a postal vote to apply and return your completed ballot papers as soon as possible.

Australian Electoral Commissioner Tom Rogers said that postal votes must be filled out and be appropriately witnessed before the close of polling on referendum day, Saturday 14 October.

“While the official deadline to apply for a postal vote is 6pm on Wednesday 11 October, last minute applications risk that ballot papers may not arrive in time, despite our best efforts. If this is your case, you may need to consider attending an early voting centre”. Mr Rogers said.

“The key takeaway is to be quick to make sure your vote is counted.”

It is important to note that the AEC legally must wait until COB Friday 27 October for postal votes to come back to us to be counted.

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