AEC Media Advice: Campaign material in the polling place

The rules surrounding what people can or cannot wear into a polling place in a referendum are the same as for elections. Campaigning is not allowed inside the polling place or within 6m of the entrance.

If a voter wears a pin, shirt or hat with a campaign slogan into the polling place, casts their vote & leaves then it may not be considered as campaigning. However, when inside a polling venue a problem could arise if a voter is seen talking about the material or gesturing towards it.

AEC advice is to simply avoid any potential issue by not wearing campaign material into a polling place, or to at least bring along a piece of clothing that allows a voter to cover up. The AEC understands that passions are often high around referendum events, and people want to proudly display their voting intentions – either way – when coming to vote. Please don’t fall foul of the law. Simply wear or display campaign material outside the polling place instead.

Our staff will take a commonsense approach to conversations with voters regarding these matters - to either cover up or to make sure people behave appropriately when inside the polling place. We have a temporary workforce of approximately 100,000 people who are everyday members of the community doing their best to facilitate a positive voting experience for Australians. Please be kind.

While the laws around campaigning in, or near, a polling place are the same as for a federal election, the obvious difference is the higher likelihood of people wanting to wear campaign clothing when voting in a referendum.