Younger voters are not effectively engaged to vote with the current postal ballot system for local government elections, according to Lord Mayoral candidate and current Deputy Lord Mayor, Alderman Helen Burnet.
Twenty-three year old Greens candidate, Madeleine Charles, joined Ald Burnet today in calling for a review of the current voting system for Council elections in Tasmania.
Ms Charles pointed to statistics for under 30 year olds as the group with the least ballots returned in previous elections.
“The voter turnout for under 30’s is about 37%. The question needs to be asked: ‘Why?’. Perhaps it has a lot to do with the method of voting,” Ms Charles said.
“Granted, both the Hobart City Council and the Tasmanian Electoral Commission have encouraged people to enrol and vote in next weeks’ election. However, the fact that voting is by postal ballot and is not compulsory is a model of non-engagement for a generation who are very low users of the postal system in the first place”, Ms Charles said.
Ald Burnet continued, “We have seen a reluctance to move to the 21st century. Enrolment for the general manager’s roll is paper-based only. This, again does not favour those residents with low mobility, ratepayers and students whose main method of communication is immediate with the use of computers and the internet.
“The challenge is there for not only the TEC, but also for Councils — including Hobart City Council — who should address the shortcomings that effectively disenfranchise these groups. The less mobile often find posting their ballots difficult and may not have their voices heard.
“Voting shouldn’t be a chore, it should be just as accessible as online surveys or internet banking. We want to see all groups participating in local government elections, and a change to widen the participation”, Ald Burnet said.
“We will be writing to the Electoral Commissioner, Julian Type, and also putting to Council that we move to a more equitable system of both enrolment and voting options to strengthen our democracy at the local government level.” Ald Burnet said.
Ms Charles concluded, “One of the key reasons for contesting these elections for me is to give a voice to people of my age group on the Hobart City Council.
I want this election to be the cornerstone for under-35 voters to start the vital change in voter participation and have their voices heard. ”
Council elections are next week with ballots posted to registered voters on the 11th and 12th October with the ballots having to reach the Electoral Commission by the 25th October.
Helen Burnet, Madeleine Charles
www.helenburnet.com.au
