ARM
Media Statement - 15 September 1999
Young
republicans urge Australian youth to enrol to vote
in referendum
The Australian Republican Movement
today welcomed the comments by young republicans urging
young people to enrol to vote and to lodge a postal
or pre-poll vote if they are working or travelling
on November 6.
Ryan Heath, convenor of Young Australians for a Republic,
today said young people had until October 4 to make
sure they are on the electoral roll at the correct
address.
He also encouraged eligible voters to lodge an application
for a pre-poll or postal vote if they knew they would
be unable to make it to a polling booth on November
6.
"Just
about more than any other vote in our lifetime, this
is a vote for young Australians about our future,
and about the type of country we want to live in,"
said Mr Heath.
"Pre-polling
and postal vote applications open from Monday September
20, so if you know you are going to be away or you
have to work, make sure you ring the Australian Electoral
Office in your State so you can organise for you to
have your say," said Mr Heath.
"A
Yes vote will just not happen unless every young Australian
who is entitled to vote lodges a vote," said Mr Heath.
Voters 18 years and over are entitled to a postal
or pre-poll vote if they are travelling and cannot
get to a polling booth, are sick or about to give
birth, are caring for the sick, working on polling
day or unable to vote because of religious beliefs.
On polling day, voting booths will be open from 8am
to 6pm, the same as in a Federal election. The Australian
Electoral Commission will notify the public closer
to the referendum day of where the polling stations
are in each Federal electorate.
The Australian Electoral Commission web site at http://www.aec.gov.au has information
about voting as well as pre-poll and postal voting
application forms.
Information about the referendum is also available
by calling the Yes information line on 1 800 80 2000.
Authorised by Malcolm Turnbull, Australian
Republican Movement, 60 Park Street, Sydney NSW 2000
