DistantNews
Support us
🇦🇺 Australia /Elections & Politics

'Infuriating': Aboriginal voters turned away, told to line-up again on SA election day

From ABC Australia · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • An Aboriginal voter in South Australia was allegedly turned away from casting her ballot in the Voice to Parliament election.
  • The voter reported being directed to the state election line first and then faced confusion and denial when attempting to vote in the separate First Nations Voice election.
  • The Electoral Commission of South Australia expressed concern over the incident, which is part of several complaints about the handling of the Voice election.

Nicole Clinch, a Badimia Yamatji woman, described an "infuriating" experience at a South Australian pre-poll center where she was allegedly prevented from voting in the Voice to Parliament election. Clinch stated that voting in this election was a priority for her, as it offered an opportunity for her specific voice to be heard.

As an Aboriginal person, you don't generally get a lot of opportunity to have your specific voice heard. And so, I personally was really looking forward to voting in the State Voice election, because that's me voting for who I want to speak on my behalf.

— Nicole ClinchMs. Clinch explaining her motivation for voting in the Voice to Parliament election.

This year marked the second Voice to Parliament election for First Nations voters in South Australia, held concurrently with the state election. Clinch reported clearly informing polling officials of her intention to vote in the Voice ballot. However, she was directed to join the queue for the ordinary state election alongside her partner, who is not Aboriginal.

but if you've already voted, why are you trying to vote again?

— Polling staff memberThe staff member's confused reaction when Ms. Clinch attempted to vote in the Voice election after casting her state ballot.

After casting her state ballot, Clinch proceeded to the declaration vote queue. She recounted that the staff member seemed unfamiliar with the Voice election process. When she explained she had not yet voted in the First Nations election, the staff member expressed confusion, stating she had already been ticked off and could not vote again. The situation reportedly did not improve when the polling booth manager was called, who stated that due to her being marked as voted, he could not allow her to cast a Voice ballot.

Look, I understand your frustration, but unfortunately you've been ticked off in this election so I can't allow you to vote again.

— Polling booth managerThe manager's explanation to Ms. Clinch why she could not vote in the Voice election.

A spokesperson for the Electoral Commission of South Australia (ECSA) stated they were "very concerned" about Ms. Clinch's experience, deeming it unacceptable. Her account is among several complaints lodged against the ECSA regarding its management of the Voice election, which is currently undergoing an independent review.

We are very concerned to hear about Ms Clinch's experience. It does not meet our expectations.

— Electoral Commission of SA spokespersonThe ECSA's official response to Ms. Clinch's reported experience.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog