Media Release – How will May Legislative Council Elections Provide for Voters Isolating due to Covid?

Independent Member for Nelson Meg Webb has called on the Rockliff Liberal Government to ensure voters will not risk disenfranchisement due to Covid-19 in the upcoming Upper House elections.

“On May 7, the three Legislative Council seats of Elwick, Huon and McIntyre will go to the polls,” Ms Webb said.

“The recent Public Health emergency declaration extension means that the Upper House polling day will occur during a recognised pandemic.

“The recent South Australian election in March saw specific provisions implemented for voters who were impacted by Covid-19 after the postal vote application cut-off date – either as confirmed cases or close contacts – to ensure they were not disenfranchised.”

“These SA measures included specific voter packs which could be collected from designated pick-up sites on behalf of those required to isolate on polling day.”

Ms Webb said the Australian Electoral Commission has also recognised the need for additional measures to counter the expected impact of Covid-19 during the upcoming Federal election.

“While I recognise efforts by the Tasmanian Electoral Commission to mail information to every elector in those Upper House seats informing them of pre-poll and postal vote options, questions remain regarding measure to ensure voters impacted by covid after application deadlines are not disenfranchised by being prevented to cast their vote safely.

“What happens for those electors who develop Covid-19 symptoms, are confirmed as having Covid-19 or realise they are close contacts after the postal vote application cut-off date of 4pm, Friday April 29?

“How will residents of aged care facilities, among the most Covid-19-vulnerable, be reassured they can vote and do so safely?  Similar concerns apply to those who may be in hospital on polling day.

“Importantly, will enrolled electors of the three Upper House electorates be fined if they are isolating and are unable to vote due to experiencing covid symptoms, or have covid, or are a close contact of someone with Covid-19?”

Ms Webb said it would be unacceptable for any Tasmanian to be disenfranchised and prevented from voting in the Legislative Council elections due to Covid-19.

“The Government must ensure covid impacted electors can vote during these elections, and that all covid-safety options are communicated via a comprehensive public awareness campaign.

“We saw the disturbing disenfranchisement of almost 4000 voters across the electorates of Windermere and Derwent during last year’s Legislative Council elections due to confusion caused by the unprecedented concurrent State election.  

“There must not be a repeat.”

South Australian government provisions for Covid positive voters: https://www.covid-19.sa.gov.au/restrictions-and-responsibilities/faqs/common-questions/voting-arrangements-common-questions

South Australia Emergency Management (Voting Arrangements)(COVID19) Direction 2022: https://www.legislation.sa.gov.au/legislation/CV19/current-directions/Emergency-Management-Voting-Arrangements-COVID-19-Direction-2022_16.03.2022.pdf

AEC Federal Election Covid measures webpage: https://www.aec.gov.au/election/covid19-safety-measures.htm

Media Contact: A.Mark Thomas, M&M Communications, 0422 006 732

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