Moments of Permanence - Category: How Is This Even Possible

From: susanreads Date: May 8th, 2010 03:32 pm (UTC) (Link)

Have you seen this? jady_lady's account of her problems voting as a blind voter (via FWD). I guess they have better access provisions at polling stations in Australia then.

(Reply) (Thread)

From: sami Date: May 9th, 2010 11:21 am (UTC) (Link)

Well. People with disabilities in relatively normal circumstances: You turn up at a polling station, and one of the poll workers will take you through (skipping the queue, if there is one), and give you any and all assistance you require. Even if you're just a little bit frail - one time I voted, there was an older woman who was feeling a little unwell and finding the heat oppressive (summer election), and she was supplied with a chair and bypassed the queue.

If you can't get to a polling station, you can cast an absentee ballot; if you contact the AEC in advance they'll give you whatever help you require with this. (Seriously, the AEC go to people's houses to give election-related assistance.)

And if you're in hospital, they're set up for that too. We had an election while my mother was in hospital once. They set up a polling station in the ward. If you're well enough to go to it, you get taken there in a wheelchair (or you can walk, if you're well enough to do *that*); if you're not, they bring your ballot to you in your room.

I don't think they have a system for people who aren't conscious during polling hours, but basically? Everybody votes.

(Reply) (Parent)