Early voting is now open for eligible Australians to cast their vote in the 2023 Voice to Parliament referendum.
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With just under two weeks to go until the official referendum day, three early voting centres have been set up around Maitland.
You can vote at any polling place within your state or territory.
You can vote early in person or by post if on voting day you:
- are outside the electorate where you are enrolled to vote
- are more than eight kilometres from a polling place
- are travelling
- are unable to leave your workplace to vote on voting day
- are seriously ill, infirm or due to give birth shortly (or caring for someone who is)
- are a patient in hospital and can't vote at the hospital
- have religious beliefs that prevent you from attending a polling place
- are in prison serving a sentence of less than three years or otherwise detained
- are a silent elector
- have a reasonable fear for your safety or wellbeing.
Voting in the referendum is compulsory for enrolled Australians.
Where to vote early in Maitland
Maitland City Salvos, 1A Bunning Avenue, Rutherford
- Tuesday, October 3 to Friday, October 6; 8.30am to 5.30pm. Saturday, October 7; 9am to 4pm. Monday, October 9 to Thursday, October 12; 8.30am to 5.30pm. Friday, October 13; 8.30am to 6pm. Assisted wheelchair access, accessible parking, virtual Auslan interpreter.
Living Hope Maitland Church of Christ, corner Garnett Road and Mitchell Drive, East Maitland
- Tuesday, October 3 to Friday, October 6; 8.30am to 5.30pm. Saturday, October 7; 9am to 4pm. Monday, October 9 to Thursday, October 12; 8.30am to 5.30pm. Friday, October 13; 8.30am to 6pm. Assisted wheelchair access, virtual Auslan interpreter.
Thornton Scout Hall, Government Road, Thornton
- Saturday, October 7; 9am to 4pm. Monday, October 9 to Thursday, October 12; 8.30am to 5.30pm. Friday, October 13; 8.30am to 6pm. Virtual Auslan interpreter.
Voting on referendum day, Saturday, October 14
For those who don't need to vote early, voting centres will be open on Saturday October 14 across Maitland.
- Maitland Police Citizens Youth Club, 3 James Street. 8am to 6pm. Virtual Auslan interpreter, accessible parking, wheelchair accessible.
- Telarah Public School, 23-35 Raymond Street. 8am to 6pm. Virtual Auslan interpreter, accessible parking, assisted wheelchair access.
- St Paul's Parish Hall, 10 Young Street, Rutherford. 8am to 6pm. Virtual Auslan interpreter.
- Gillieston Heights Community Hub, corner Redwood Drive and Pine Street. 8am to 6pm. Virtual Auslan interpreter, accessible parking, wheelchair accessible.
- East Maitland Public School, 32 William Street. 8am to 6pm. Virtual Auslan interpreter, assisted wheelchair access.
- Rutherford Public School, Weblands Street. 8am to 6pm. Virtual Auslan interpreter, accessible parking, wheelchair accessible.
- Playtime Pre-school, Rutherford, 75 Regiment Road. 8am to 6pm. Virtual Auslan interpreter, assisted wheelchair access.
- Story House Early Learning Centre, 10 McKeachie Drive, Abberglasslyn. 8am to 6pm. Virtual Auslan interpreter, assisted wheelchair access.
- Maitland High School, 32 High Street, East Maitland. 8am to 6pm. Virtual Auslan interpreter, assisted wheelchair access.
- Living Hope Maitland Church of Christ, 1 Garnett Road, East Maitland. 8am to 6pm. Virtual Auslan interpreter, accessible parking, assisted wheelchair access.
- Tenambit Public School, 13 Edward Street. 8am to 6pm. Virtual Auslan interpreter, assisted wheelchair access.
- Ashtonfield Public School, 3 Norfolk Street. 8am to 6pm. Virtual Auslan interpreter, assisted wheelchair access.
- Metford Public School, 13 Melaleuca Drive. 8am to 6pm. Virtual Auslan interpreter, assisted wheelchair access.
- Morpeth Uniting Church, 98 High Street, Morpeth. 8am to 6pm. Virtual Auslan interpreter, assisted wheelchair access.
- St Patrick's Primary School, 114 Gregory Road, Lochinvar. 8am to 6pm. Virtual Auslan interpreter, assisted wheelchair access.
- Thornton Public School, 28 Government Road, Thornton. 8am to 6pm. Virtual Auslan interpreter, assisted wheelchair access.
- St Michael's Anglican Church, Thornton. 8am to 6pm. Virtual Auslan interpreter.
- Woodberry Public School, Lawson Avenue, Woodberry. 8am to 6pm. Virtual Auslan interpreter, assisted wheelchair access.
- Millers Forest Public School, 127 Martins Wharf Road. 8am to 6pm. Virtual Auslan interpreter, assisted wheelchair access.
The question
Australians will be asked to vote on the following question:
A Proposed Law: to alter the Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice. Do you approve this proposed alteration?
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- Early polling opens as referendum hits home stretch
- Maitland councillors clash over motion to take neutral stance on Voice referendum
- Yes campaigners accuse Maitland council of removing signage
Chloe Coleman
Chloe Coleman is a journalist covering news in the Lower Hunter. Contact her on chloe.coleman@austcommunitymedia.com.au.
Chloe Coleman is a journalist covering news in the Lower Hunter. Contact her on chloe.coleman@austcommunitymedia.com.au.
