Call for pre-poll facility on KI for future elections

Posted August 09, 2018

Federal Member for Mayo Rebekha Sharkie has asked the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) to set up a pre-poll facility on Kangaroo Island during future Federal elections.

The request was sent in writing to the Electoral Commissioner Tom Rogers following complaints from residents on the island.

“In the interests of full democratic representation to the electors of Mayo, it is my view and the view of a good number of electors from the Island who have contacted me that the Island’s isolation from mainland pre-poll facilities warrants special treatment and attention in forthcoming Federal elections,” Rebekha said in a letter to the Commissioner this week.

“May I kindly request that the AEC investigate the possibility of a pre-poll facility on Kangaroo Island in future Federal elections, even if only for a limited period of time?”

Rebekha also raised the issue of the Island not being included in some of the maps used in AEC advertisements and materials regarding the Mayo by-election.

She said the absence of the island in these maps had sparked comments and the AEC should consider the concerns of Islanders in designing communication material for future elections.