With no end in sight for the current lockdown, questions are being asked about locking in voting methods for the local council elections on September 4.
The Campbelltown MP and opposition spokesman on local government Greg Warren is calling on the state government to urgently outline plans for voting at the elections, which are just 54 days away.
The local government minister, Shelley Hancock, recently said anyone who “reasonably believes attending a polling place on election day will pose a risk to the health of safety of a person or another person’’ would be able to vote via post.
The minister also confirmed iVote will be rolled out for the first time during a local government election for vulnerable voters and those with disabilities.
However, Mr Warren said these proposed measures did not go far enough given the current concerns with Covid-19.
He says all voters regardless of reasoning or location, should have access to alternative means of voting.
“People shouldn’t be pressured about their reasons for wanting to cast a vote via alternative means,” Mr Warren said.
“Fear levels should not be used a means test to decide whether you are eligible for postal or online voting.”
Mr Warren also called on the minister to guarantee the iVote system would not be compromised and ensure the integrity of the process given previous concerns with the system.
“There has been plenty of time for this government to develop and test measures to ensure local government elections can go off without a hitch in September,” he said.
Mr Warren, pictured, urged the minister to consider further alternatives to ensure voters could safely cast their vote at the ballot box, including extending the number of days pre-polling was open and exploring a “book in advance method’’.
“Opening polling booths for longer or allowing people to register a time to vote in advance could ensure people are able to cast their vote at a ballot box while limiting the number of people gathering at polling booths at the one time,” he said.
“There may be an extra cost involved but surely this government now knows it can’t put a price on the health and wellbeing of NSW residents.
“The minister has less than eight weeks to develop alternatives to make sure local government elections can proceed as planned and safely,” Mr Warren said.
The elections were scheduled for September 2020 but were postponed for 12 months due to the pandemic.
Those elected on September 4 will serve a three year term instead of the usual four years. This will re-align the four year voting cycle.
