VEC pushes for more accessible voting at elections

THE Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) has proposed a range of reforms aimed at making voting more accessible.

The submission to parliament’s Electoral Matters Committee inquiry into voting centre accessibility combines existing recommendations and new measures designed to reduce barriers and increase participation.

Several of these recommendations would not be in effect at the coming state election, as they would require legislative change and could be put in place for the 2030 poll.

The submission also outlines improvements already under way to strengthen accessibility, such as additional low sensory voting options, detailed guides on how to get access to certain voting centres and better signage to help people find their way at voting centres.

Electoral Commissioner Sven Bluemmel said making voting more accessible was essential to ensure every Victorian can actively participate in their democracy.

“Accessible voting is key to a fair and inclusive democracy,” he said.

“While some improvements will take time to implement, we are continuing work with parliament, candidates and political parties to reduce barriers and make voting easier and more accessible for all Victorians.”

The submission also proposes additional ways to make voting more accessible and less confusing for voters.

This includes aligning eligibility for general postal voter status with federal criteria for people with disability and their carers, and giving more voters access to electronically assisted voting delivered through the VEC’s telephone voting service.

The expanded eligibility would cover voters who are interstate or overseas, unwell, caring for someone, experiencing homelessness or family violence, or who are neurodivergent.

With telephone assisted voting, eligible voters only need to have access to a telephone connection, and the process is designed to still ensure the secrecy of each voter’s vote.

“Our focus is on removing practical barriers so that every eligible voter can participate safely, independently and with confidence,” Bluemmel said.

To read the VEC’s submission to the Electoral Matters Committee, head to vec.vic.gov.au