19 December 2016

Ask RiotACT: Federal Election pre-poll voting places in Canberra?

| Maya123
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Ask RiotACT

Does anyone know where in Canberra I can cast a vote before election day? And is it open now?

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bigred said :

Ian said :

Why in this day and age has the government not embraced the easy option of internet voting?

The greatest advocates against internet voting are actually programmers and security experts. The system simply wouldn’t be secure and its integrity would always be called into question compared to pen/paper voting. If you think letting the Government create internet voting is a good idea, I’d suggest having a look at the MyGov website…

creative_canberran said :

It would make younger people more likely to vote, and the laboral party do not want that.

Err, do you mean the Labor Party? That statement is a little bit odd considering young voters are overwhelming left wing and moderates. Poll research has indicated that very few young people will be voting for the Liberals considering that all the moderate factions within the Liberal party have been eliminated and/or defected elsewhere.

How many teachers would be Laborites?

About 50%.
The rest are Greens and Marxists.

bigred said :

Ian said :

Why in this day and age has the government not embraced the easy option of internet voting?

The greatest advocates against internet voting are actually programmers and security experts. The system simply wouldn’t be secure and its integrity would always be called into question compared to pen/paper voting. If you think letting the Government create internet voting is a good idea, I’d suggest having a look at the MyGov website…

creative_canberran said :

It would make younger people more likely to vote, and the laboral party do not want that.

Err, do you mean the Labor Party? That statement is a little bit odd considering young voters are overwhelming left wing and moderates. Poll research has indicated that very few young people will be voting for the Liberals considering that all the moderate factions within the Liberal party have been eliminated and/or defected elsewhere.

How many teachers would be Laborites?

wildturkeycanoe5:31 pm 16 Jun 16

I suppose you are right, nothing the government upgraded to electronic methods has been much of an improvement, Mygov to say the least. Ridding us of paper ballots would mean needing folks to have fast, reliable internet and neither party can guarantee that. They can guarantee outdated technologies however. Polling booths could have a touchscreen for voting, keeping secrecy to your ballot and transmitting data instantly. I reckon a high school student could create an app to do the same job as thousands of aec workers. It aint rocket science.

pajs said :

Ian said :

Why in this day and age has the government not embraced the easy option of internet voting? If they are concerned about fraud, how important is voting in relation to everybody’s finances, medical records, identity? To prove your ID in a polling place you only need to know your name, address and date of birth. Financial internet transactions require far more authentication, such as SMS and password confirmation.
It’d save a lot of people the inconvenience of going to a polling place between kid’s soccer matches or other events that are much more important, but not excuse enough to do a postal or early vote.

The current system of having the electoral roll on a computer with only the polling clerk being able to see the screen is not transparent as while the clerk may say your name has been marked as having voted you are not allowed to check that.
The old system of seeing your name ruled through with a inked pen had integrity.

However, the electronic roll records allow polling staff to see whether a person has already voted at another booth that also uses electronic roll records, while the paper roll (still used in most election day polling places) only allows staff to see if you’ve voted at that single polling place already.

The printed white paper electoral roll hasn’t been used at the polling booth I use for several years.
The point I am making is that we have to trust the the computer screen that we are not allowed to see.
Just how reliable is the system they are using?

I am a Rabbit™4:53 pm 16 Jun 16

Ian said :

Why in this day and age has the government not embraced the easy option of internet voting?

The greatest advocates against internet voting are actually programmers and security experts. The system simply wouldn’t be secure and its integrity would always be called into question compared to pen/paper voting. If you think letting the Government create internet voting is a good idea, I’d suggest having a look at the MyGov website…

creative_canberran said :

It would make younger people more likely to vote, and the laboral party do not want that.

Err, do you mean the Labor Party? That statement is a little bit odd considering young voters are overwhelming left wing and moderates. Poll research has indicated that very few young people will be voting for the Liberals considering that all the moderate factions within the Liberal party have been eliminated and/or defected elsewhere.

devils_advocate4:07 pm 16 Jun 16

Ian said :

Why in this day and age has the government not embraced the easy option of internet voting?

It would make younger people more likely to vote, and the laboral party do not want that.

Ghettosmurf873:16 pm 16 Jun 16

Ian said :

Why in this day and age has the government not embraced the easy option of internet voting? If they are concerned about fraud, how important is voting in relation to everybody’s finances, medical records, identity? To prove your ID in a polling place you only need to know your name, address and date of birth. Financial internet transactions require far more authentication, such as SMS and password confirmation.
It’d save a lot of people the inconvenience of going to a polling place between kid’s soccer matches or other events that are much more important, but not excuse enough to do a postal or early vote.

The current system of having the electoral roll on a computer with only the polling clerk being able to see the screen is not transparent as while the clerk may say your name has been marked as having voted you are not allowed to check that.
The old system of seeing your name ruled through with a inked pen had integrity.

However, the electronic roll records allow polling staff to see whether a person has already voted at another booth that also uses electronic roll records, while the paper roll (still used in most election day polling places) only allows staff to see if you’ve voted at that single polling place already.

Ian said :

Why in this day and age has the government not embraced the easy option of internet voting? If they are concerned about fraud, how important is voting in relation to everybody’s finances, medical records, identity? To prove your ID in a polling place you only need to know your name, address and date of birth. Financial internet transactions require far more authentication, such as SMS and password confirmation.
It’d save a lot of people the inconvenience of going to a polling place between kid’s soccer matches or other events that are much more important, but not excuse enough to do a postal or early vote.

The current system of having the electoral roll on a computer with only the polling clerk being able to see the screen is not transparent as while the clerk may say your name has been marked as having voted you are not allowed to check that.
The old system of seeing your name ruled through with a inked pen had integrity.

Ian said :

Why in this day and age has the government not embraced the easy option of internet voting? If they are concerned about fraud, how important is voting in relation to everybody’s finances, medical records, identity? To prove your ID in a polling place you only need to know your name, address and date of birth. Financial internet transactions require far more authentication, such as SMS and password confirmation.
It’d save a lot of people the inconvenience of going to a polling place between kid’s soccer matches or other events that are much more important, but not excuse enough to do a postal or early vote.

I can imagine the stand-over bully tactics in some households of one person demanding the rest of the household vote just as they say, and literally standing there and making sure they do, despite how the rest of the household really want to vote. At least in a polling booth the bullied person can vote how they want and the bully need not know how they really voted.

wildturkeycanoe6:35 am 16 Jun 16

Why in this day and age has the government not embraced the easy option of internet voting? If they are concerned about fraud, how important is voting in relation to everybody’s finances, medical records, identity? To prove your ID in a polling place you only need to know your name, address and date of birth. Financial internet transactions require far more authentication, such as SMS and password confirmation.
It’d save a lot of people the inconvenience of going to a polling place between kid’s soccer matches or other events that are much more important, but not excuse enough to do a postal or early vote.

justin heywood said :

Apparently, there will be a change to pre-poll voting this year. You WILL be asked for a reason why you need to vote early, if you do not meet the criteria, you will be turned away. This from The Australian:

Pre-poll voting centres will open on Tuesday but the Electoral Commission is warning that ­people cannot vote early simply for convenience.

For the first time the AEC will ask people if they have a legitimate reason. Those who do not meet the criteria will be turned away and asked to return to a polling booth on July 2.

People are allowed to vote early if they will be away from their electorate or travelling on election day, more than 8km from a polling place or unable to vote on the day because they hold a reasonable fear for their safety.

Others reasons include being at work, being due to give birth, in prison serving a sentence of less than three years or holding religious beliefs that prevent a person turning up to a polling booth on the day. People who are seriously ill, infirm, in a hospital without voting facilities, or who are carers are also able to vote early.

Early voters will be asked four questions: are they entitled to vote early, their name, address and whether they have already voted.

Do I have to explain what religious beliefs prevent me from turning up on election day? That could be anything!

Holden Caulfield1:25 pm 15 Jun 16

Does not wanting to be harrassed by pamphlet waving loonies while entering a polling place on election day count as a legitimate reason?

Otherwise, just run with, “I’ll be overseas.”

How about this from the AEC website:

Early voting centres Canberra

Suburb

Polling place (opening times)

Belconnen

Belconnen Community Centre Swanson Ct
Wheelchair accessible
•Tuesday 14 June – Friday 17 June (8:30 – 17:30)
•Monday 20 June – Thursday 23 June (8:30 – 17:30)
•Friday 24 June (8:30 – 18:00)
•Saturday 25 June (9:00 – 16:00)
•Monday 27 June – Tuesday 28 June (8:30 – 17:30)
•Wednesday 29 June (8:30 – 18:00)
•Thursday 30 June (8:30 – 17:30)
•Friday 1 July (8:30 – 18:00)

Canberra City

Pilgrim House 69 Northbourne Ave
Wheelchair accessible
•Tuesday 14 June – Friday 17 June (8:30 – 17:30)
•Monday 20 June – Thursday 23 June (8:30 – 17:30)
•Friday 24 June (8:30 – 18:00)
•Saturday 25 June (9:00 – 16:00)
•Monday 27 June – Tuesday 28 June (8:30 – 17:30)
•Wednesday 29 June (8:30 – 18:00)
•Thursday 30 June (8:30 – 17:30)
•Friday 1 July (8:30 – 18:00)

Greenway

Flax House 216 Cowlishaw St
Wheelchair accessible
•Monday 20 June – Thursday 23 June (8:30 – 17:30)
•Friday 24 June (8:30 – 18:00)
•Saturday 25 June (9:00 – 16:00)
•Monday 27 June – Tuesday 28 June (8:30 – 17:30)
•Wednesday 29 June (8:30 – 18:00)
•Thursday 30 June (8:30 – 17:30)
•Friday 1 July (8:30 – 18:00)

Gungahlin

75 Gozzard St
Wheelchair accessible
•Monday 20 June – Thursday 23 June (8:30 – 17:30)
•Friday 24 June (8:30 – 18:00)
•Saturday 25 June (9:00 – 16:00)
•Monday 27 June – Tuesday 28 June (8:30 – 17:30)
•Wednesday 29 June (8:30 – 18:00)
•Thursday 30 June (8:30 – 17:30)
•Friday 1 July (8:30 – 18:00)

Phillip

15 Bowes Pl
Wheelchair accessible
•Monday 20 June – Thursday 23 June (8:30 – 17:30)
•Friday 24 June (8:30 – 18:00)
•Saturday 25 June (9:00 – 16:00)
•Monday 27 June – Tuesday 28 June (8:30 – 17:30)
•Wednesday 29 June (8:30 – 18:00)
•Thursday 30 June (8:30 – 17:30)
•Friday 1 July (8:30 – 18:00)

Nothing at Oaks Estate?

How about this from the AEC website:

Early voting centres Canberra

Suburb

Polling place (opening times)

Belconnen

Belconnen Community Centre Swanson Ct
Wheelchair accessible
•Tuesday 14 June – Friday 17 June (8:30 – 17:30)
•Monday 20 June – Thursday 23 June (8:30 – 17:30)
•Friday 24 June (8:30 – 18:00)
•Saturday 25 June (9:00 – 16:00)
•Monday 27 June – Tuesday 28 June (8:30 – 17:30)
•Wednesday 29 June (8:30 – 18:00)
•Thursday 30 June (8:30 – 17:30)
•Friday 1 July (8:30 – 18:00)

Canberra City

Pilgrim House 69 Northbourne Ave
Wheelchair accessible
•Tuesday 14 June – Friday 17 June (8:30 – 17:30)
•Monday 20 June – Thursday 23 June (8:30 – 17:30)
•Friday 24 June (8:30 – 18:00)
•Saturday 25 June (9:00 – 16:00)
•Monday 27 June – Tuesday 28 June (8:30 – 17:30)
•Wednesday 29 June (8:30 – 18:00)
•Thursday 30 June (8:30 – 17:30)
•Friday 1 July (8:30 – 18:00)

Greenway

Flax House 216 Cowlishaw St
Wheelchair accessible
•Monday 20 June – Thursday 23 June (8:30 – 17:30)
•Friday 24 June (8:30 – 18:00)
•Saturday 25 June (9:00 – 16:00)
•Monday 27 June – Tuesday 28 June (8:30 – 17:30)
•Wednesday 29 June (8:30 – 18:00)
•Thursday 30 June (8:30 – 17:30)
•Friday 1 July (8:30 – 18:00)

Gungahlin

75 Gozzard St
Wheelchair accessible
•Monday 20 June – Thursday 23 June (8:30 – 17:30)
•Friday 24 June (8:30 – 18:00)
•Saturday 25 June (9:00 – 16:00)
•Monday 27 June – Tuesday 28 June (8:30 – 17:30)
•Wednesday 29 June (8:30 – 18:00)
•Thursday 30 June (8:30 – 17:30)
•Friday 1 July (8:30 – 18:00)

Phillip

15 Bowes Pl
Wheelchair accessible
•Monday 20 June – Thursday 23 June (8:30 – 17:30)
•Friday 24 June (8:30 – 18:00)
•Saturday 25 June (9:00 – 16:00)
•Monday 27 June – Tuesday 28 June (8:30 – 17:30)
•Wednesday 29 June (8:30 – 18:00)
•Thursday 30 June (8:30 – 17:30)
•Friday 1 July (8:30 – 18:00)

MERC600 said :

justin heywood said :

Apparently, there will be a change to pre-poll voting this year. You WILL be asked for a reason why you need to vote early, if you do not meet the criteria, you will be turned away. This from The Australian:

Pre-poll voting centres will open on Tuesday but the Electoral Commission is warning that ­people cannot vote early simply for convenience.

For the first time the AEC will ask people if they have a legitimate reason. Those who do not meet the criteria will be turned away and asked to return to a polling booth on July 2.

People are allowed to vote early if they will be away from their electorate or travelling on election day, more than 8km from a polling place or unable to vote on the day because they hold a reasonable fear for their safety.

Others reasons include being at work, being due to give birth, in prison serving a sentence of less than three years or holding religious beliefs that prevent a person turning up to a polling booth on the day. People who are seriously ill, infirm, in a hospital without voting facilities, or who are carers are also able to vote early.

Early voters will be asked four questions: are they entitled to vote early, their name, address and whether they have already voted.

I think being in the NT will pass!

Are you going up there to see Nova?

justin heywood said :

Apparently, there will be a change to pre-poll voting this year. You WILL be asked for a reason why you need to vote early, if you do not meet the criteria, you will be turned away. This from The Australian:

Pre-poll voting centres will open on Tuesday but the Electoral Commission is warning that ­people cannot vote early simply for convenience.

For the first time the AEC will ask people if they have a legitimate reason. Those who do not meet the criteria will be turned away and asked to return to a polling booth on July 2.

People are allowed to vote early if they will be away from their electorate or travelling on election day, more than 8km from a polling place or unable to vote on the day because they hold a reasonable fear for their safety.

Others reasons include being at work, being due to give birth, in prison serving a sentence of less than three years or holding religious beliefs that prevent a person turning up to a polling booth on the day. People who are seriously ill, infirm, in a hospital without voting facilities, or who are carers are also able to vote early.

Early voters will be asked four questions: are they entitled to vote early, their name, address and whether they have already voted.

I think being in the NT will pass!

Apparently, there will be a change to pre-poll voting this year. You WILL be asked for a reason why you need to vote early, if you do not meet the criteria, you will be turned away. This from The Australian:

Pre-poll voting centres will open on Tuesday but the Electoral Commission is warning that ­people cannot vote early simply for convenience.

For the first time the AEC will ask people if they have a legitimate reason. Those who do not meet the criteria will be turned away and asked to return to a polling booth on July 2.

People are allowed to vote early if they will be away from their electorate or travelling on election day, more than 8km from a polling place or unable to vote on the day because they hold a reasonable fear for their safety.

Others reasons include being at work, being due to give birth, in prison serving a sentence of less than three years or holding religious beliefs that prevent a person turning up to a polling booth on the day. People who are seriously ill, infirm, in a hospital without voting facilities, or who are carers are also able to vote early.

Early voters will be asked four questions: are they entitled to vote early, their name, address and whether they have already voted.

Alternatively, prepoll opens on Tuesday 14th June and prepoll centres will be listed at http://www.aec.gov.au/About_AEC/cea-notices/pre-poll-voting-centres.htm

dreamlikecheese2:40 pm 04 Jun 16

Early voting doesn’t start until 14 June (http://www.aec.gov.au/FAQs/Voting_Australia.htm#early-vote-when). They need to wait until the deadline for candidates to nominate has passed and then print ballots before voting can start.

btw I am not ready to vote. All the parties and independents are still holding some cards back and have either good or foolish announcements to make.

Both major leaders have been testing each other and are yet to show their mettle and may still reveal themselves worthy of their role.

Malcolm Turnbull looks like he is surrounded by Liberal Party Heavies at all times, just in case he attempts to escape from the Abbott Tea Party straight jacket.

Bill Shorten is starting to look less and less like Stan Laurel and may actually be showing backbone which has not been previously evident.

Nick Xenophon has assembled a team, who have to still show what they will do.

…oh and it turns out Pauline Hansen hasn’t emigrated to England after all!

The Australian Electoral Commission is in 50 Marcus Clarke St, Canberra (upstairs). Tel: 13 23 26

They can tell you if your ballot is available for your electorate and you can vote in their offices, post it in or where they usually have alternate sites in the City and elsewhere.

I usually cast a pre-poll because I research who is who and fill in the ballot in its entirety and not in the pre-printed order or how someone has told me to vote.

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