National media release – 2022 federal election
Supporting Australian voters living with disability
Updated: 12 April 2022
The Australian Electoral Commission is providing voters living with disability and mobility restrictions with some convenient options to help them cast their vote for the 21 May federal election.
Voting for people who are blind or have low vision
A telephone-voting process for people who are blind or have low vision is now available.
Voters who are blind or have low vision can register and cast their ballot, in-confidence, via a dedicated telephone-voting system by calling 1800 913 993. This is a simple two-step process, and the AEC’s voting assistants are trained to assist you.
The AEC provides accessible election information to support people living with a disability.
The AEC’s Official Guide to the 2022 federal election, and the lists of candidates running in the election, will be available in accessible formats:
- Braille
- Audio
- large print.
The AEC also has AUSLAN videos, Easy Read guides, fact sheets and other information on voting and enrolling available.
Each polling place used in the 2022 federal election has been given an accessibility rating to assist people with disabilities or mobility restrictions. These ratings are:
- wheelchair accessible
- assisted wheelchair access, or
- not wheelchair accessible.
You can click on the rating listed against each polling place to find out more about its specific accessibility features.
Assistance to vote at a polling place
If you need assistance to vote at a polling place, you can ask someone to help you. Polling place staff are trained to assist you, or you can nominate any person (other than a candidate) to assist. This could be a friend, relative or another person. If you do not nominate someone, then the polling official in charge may provide assistance.
If you cannot get out of your car, and the polling official in charge is satisfied you cannot enter the polling place, someone may bring the ballot papers to you.
If you have a disability or mobility restriction, you may be eligible to become a general postal voter and receive ballot papers in the mail. Or you may apply for a postal vote for this election.
To complete a postal vote, the voter may choose an assistant (such as a friend or family member) to help complete the ballot papers and envelope according to the voter’s instruction, but the voter must sign the envelope or make a mark as a signature.
The AEC must receive your postal vote application by no later than Wednesday 18 May 2022.
Voters who are blind or have low vision have the option to cast their vote in secret, by telephone, from any location by calling 1800 913 993. Telephone voting is a simple two-step process, and AEC voting assistants will assist you through the process.
Registration is available on weekdays between 8.30am and 5.30pm AEST from Monday 9 May 2022 until Friday 20 May 2022. It will also be available from 8am to 12 midday AEST Saturday 21 May 2022.
Telephone voting is available on weekdays between 8.30am and 5.30pm AEST from Monday 9 May 2022 until Friday 20 May 2022. It will also be available from 8am to 6pm AEST Saturday 21 May 2022.