For the Batman by-election, voters who are blind or have low vision have the option to cast their vote by telephone.
Telephone voting
Voters who are blind or have low vision can cast a vote in secret by telephone from any location.
Telephone voting is a simple two-step process and AEC voting assistants are available to assist you through the process.
Step 1: Call to register
If you wish to vote by telephone, you must first register by calling 1800 913 993.
Registration is available on weekdays between 8.30am and 5.30pm AEDT from Monday 26 February 2018 until Friday 16 March 2018. It is also available from 8am to 12pm AEDT on Saturday 17 March 2018.
You will be asked questions to check your details on the electoral roll, and will be asked to choose a PIN number. You will then receive a telephone voting registration number by your choice of an email, SMS, phone call or postal mail.
Step 2: Call to vote
Once you have received your registration number and chosen your PIN, you will need to call again to cast your vote.
Telephone voting will commence from Tuesday 27 February 2018. The service will be available on weekdays between 8.30am and 5.30pm AEDT. It will also be available from 8am to 6pm AEDT on Saturday 17 March 2018.
To cast your vote, call 1800 913 993.
When you call, do not give your name.
Please have your telephone voting registration number and chosen PIN number ready. With these numbers you can vote without giving your name, and these will be used to mark you off the electoral roll.
An AEC voting assistant will record your vote. A second voting assistant will ensure your vote is recorded as you intended. Your vote remains secret because the AEC voting assistant will not know your name or address.
Once your vote is complete, the voting assistant will place the ballot papers into secure ballot boxes.
You have until 6pm AEDT on Saturday 17 March 2018 to cast your vote.
On Election Day
If you are attending a polling place and need assistance to vote, you can ask someone to help you.
Polling place staff are trained to help you, or you can nominate any person (other than a candidate) to assist.
Information on the accessibility features of each polling place for the Batman by-election is available at http://www.aec.gov.au/batman/ under the ‘Where can I vote on by-election day’ and ‘Where can I vote early’ headings.
Candidate lists
The list of candidates contesting the Bennelong by-election is now available.
You can listen to the list of candidates at http://www.aec.gov.au/batman/ by using the Read Speaker application to read the content aloud. You can also save content from the AEC’s website, including candidate lists, as an MP3 file.
The candidates list will be available in audio MP3, large print and e-text formats at http://www.aec.gov.au/batman/assisted.htm.
Alternatively, you can request a copy of the list of candidates to be sent to you in e-text, large print, braille or audio formats by calling the AEC on 13 23 26.
Accessible versions of this guide
This guide is also available in other accessible formats.
You can download an audio MP3, e-text or a large print PDF version from http://www.aec.gov.au/batman/assisted.htm.
Alternatively, you can call the AEC on 13 23 26 to have a braille, audio or large print version sent to you.