RESIDENTS in the outlying areas of the Orange electorate don’t necessarily know they have to vote on November 12 and risk being fined, according to Christian Democratic Party candidate Dianne Decker.
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Ms Decker said she spent three days at the Australian National Field Days and found people from Parkes and Forbes in particular “were not the slightest bit aware” they were part of the state electorate.
“They told me they voted and I had to tell them, no that was in the council elections,” she said.
The Orange electorate covers the entire Orange, Cabonne, Parkes and Forbes local government areas.
Despite the greyhound ban controversy and forced council amalgamations, Ms Decker said there seemed to be a general lack of awareness about state issues.
“I have to keep saying if you don’t vote, you’ll be fined, it’s very concerning,” she said.
NSW Electoral Commission spokesman Richard Carroll said all voters would receive a brochure in the mail and advertisements would run regularly in the coming weeks.
He said anyone who had not already changed their address on the electoral role could do so in person at pre-poll or on polling day.
“Provided they bring their drivers licence with their current address or their NSW photo card – we check to make sure they’re an Australian citizen before the vote goes into the count,” he said.
Those born overseas should also be prepared to provide Australian citizenship details.
Candidate nominations close on Thursday at noon and names will be drawn to determine the ballot paper order.
Pre-poll voting is available from Monday, October 31 at 123-125 Moulder Street in Orange, Parkes Shire Library and Cultural Centre’s Coventry Room, Forbes Town Hall’s concourse or at level 25, 201 Kent Street in Sydney.
People who are vision impaired or who have another disability, live more than 20 kilometres from the nearest polling place, or who will be outside NSW on election day can apply to use the iVote system.
To register, visit iVote.nsw.gov.au or call 1300 24 86 83 by 1pm on polling day.
Postal votes will be accepted until 6pm on Wednesday, November 9 from inside Australia or Monday, November 7 if overseas.
To apply, visit www.elections.nsw.gov.au.