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Journey of a booth volunteer 2023 Voice Referendum

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UMike

UMike

Klutzing in Thai
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A day in the life as a polling booth volunteer.

31/08 Day of the referendum announcement I googled up Fair Australia (Volunteer Team).
Web site is phenomenal. Could sign up easy nominated through checklist what I can help with.
Location, Time and date of Pre Poll attendance. Location of Polling day attendance.

Surprised that there was little verification of who I was. Or any confirmation email response to verify that any of the details were real.

After submission was taken to a merchandise page..... As if I was going to walk around with "No" attire :rolleyes:

Received 2 emails
1- Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, on behalf of FAIR AUSTRALIA - General thanks and a promise of being informed of the champagne.
2- Volunteer Team, Fair Australia - General thanks and a promise of being informed of my upcoming role.
 
Anyone else doing similar.

Please add even if it is for the other side.
 
Good onya. What sort of time commitment is there prior to polling day, Mike?
 
UMike said:
I'll enquire about that journey sometime prior to the next federal election.
I might want to perform that role as well,
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@UMike from what I have observed at State and federal polling booths. It would appear that nearly most and possibly all of the people empolyed on polling day are either State or Federal Govt employees. ie Teachers, Public Servants etc.
 
farmerge said:
@UMike from what I have observed at State and federal polling booths. It would appear that nearly most and possibly all of the people empolyed on polling day are either State or Federal Govt employees. ie Teachers, Public Servants etc.
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Could be. They were real slow and inefficient the last 2 elections..... So that'd explain it.
 
Day 10 of the initial Volunteer application.

Haven't heard anything more.
Not that I am concerned or need the attention.

Will wait until a week prior to the Pre Poll booth opening (Monday 25/9/23) till I enquire "additional information, including training in the lead up to Polling Day." if they haven't contacted me prior.
Not that I intend to be a clueless sheep requiring a script or anything But I would like some insight in how they expect me to represent their "No" instructions at the polling booth location.

Looking forward to updating some more.
 
So_Cynical said:
I'm working referendum day at the local tally centre - counting.
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Just curious but do they insist on any particular requirements of neutrality?

Eg do they check that you're not obviously aligned to one side or the other or that you're not a member of a political party for example?

Note that I'm not suggesting anyone's doing anything wrong, just curious really.
 
Smurf1976 said:
Just curious but do they insist on any particular requirements of neutrality?

Eg do they check that you're not obviously aligned to one side or the other or that you're not a member of a political party for example?

Note that I'm not suggesting anyone's doing anything wrong, just curious really.
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@Smurf1976 interesting point that you have raised.
 
Smurf1976 said:
Just curious but do they insist on any particular requirements of neutrality?

Eg do they check that you're not obviously aligned to one side or the other or that you're not a member of a political party for example?

Note that I'm not suggesting anyone's doing anything wrong, just curious really.
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Yea that one I know.
You can't be a member of any particular party. (Which I am not. General Member of the Lib Dems for a year. 21/22)

They must be a public servant I'm not sure of or didn't know. But it wouldn't surprise me.
 
Day 11 I got an email declaring "You’re on the team"

Thanks again for joining the Fair Australia volunteer army.
You’re making a real difference in fighting the Voice of Division.
There are thousands of Australians by your side, who are out in the community right now delivering your message that you want this nation to stay united.
And more than 163,000 Australians from every corner of the country have signed the pledge to vote NO to the Voice of Division.
If you haven’t yet, now is the time to sign the pledge.
It’s an important step in the fight to make sure your voice is heard loud and clear in this divisive referendum campaign.
It’ll also mean you’ll get important updates from Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price and Nyunggai Warren Mundine AO.
There’s just 29 days to go, but it’s critical we keep the accelerator on.
Thanks again for fighting with us.
Let’s win this!
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At first I had no intention to sign the pledge.
but 3 days later I'm like, what's the point of going on the journey without partaking in as many activities as practice.

Signed, Simple enough. Just need name email and Phone Number.
Takes me to a donation page.
 
Smurf1976 said:
Just curious but do they insist on any particular requirements of neutrality?

Eg do they check that you're not obviously aligned to one side or the other or that you're not a member of a political party for example?

Note that I'm not suggesting anyone's doing anything wrong, just curious really.
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You are educated on the rules of neutrality and proper election official behaviour and sign a declaration that you will follow the rules and are not politically active, there is no political activity data base that can be checked, scrutineers are always politically affiliated and help keep the whole process transparent.
 
You Can apply on the AEC website.
I have heard that in the city they have enough people but in the country they are struggling.

Think Political party membership is accessible by the AEC.
 
Having done it, it also helps if one can endure people who on coming in to the pub look about them with disdain and say.

"Perhaps not, let's try another one"

Not a scintilla of humour nor compassion amongst them.

gg
 
Booth I scrutineered at celebrated every dick ballot we got. .... Some of the counters fill the above description though,

Gott another email:
Thanked again for being part of their massive volunteer NO army.
"At the moment we are waiting for the Australian Electoral Commission to confirm the polling locations around the country. Once that’s done, we can confirm where you’ll be needed on the day."
Found that interesting as I have nominated for my locations. (guess it was based on the federal electrol locations.)
They say not to be comforted with the polls as it could be closer that what they say due to the "Yes campaign’s massive financial and manpower advantage through the door."

6 more working days till pre-poll.

More to come.
 
UMike said:
Booth I scrutineered at celebrated every dick ballot we got. .... Some of the counters fill the above description though,

Gott another email:
Thanked again for being part of their massive volunteer NO army.
"At the moment we are waiting for the Australian Electoral Commission to confirm the polling locations around the country. Once that’s done, we can confirm where you’ll be needed on the day."
Found that interesting as I have nominated for my locations. (guess it was based on the federal electrol locations.)
They say not to be comforted with the polls as it could be closer that what they say due to the "Yes campaign’s massive financial and manpower advantage through the door."

6 more working days till pre-poll.

More to come.
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His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd) has this afternoon issued the writ for the 2023 referendum to the Australian Electoral Commissioner.

The issue of writ formally sets the referendum in motion, now confirming the below dates in the referendum timeline:

  • Issue of writ: Monday 11 September

  • Postal vote applications open: 6pm, Monday 11 September
  • Enrolment deadline: 8pm, Monday 18 September

SO:

We fly out 1am on 2nd Oct, so I rang and asked for postal vote on Tues 12/ Sept

The application form hadn't arrived by Mon 19, so rang to ask for options, they said because you are going away you don't need to vote.

Tues 19th the application form arrived, filled it out and posted it.

Now let's see how long before the actual postal vote form arrives.

Obviously making it as difficult as possible to vote.

This is the 21st century, right.:roflmao:
 
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