Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton has reached out to the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) for answers after many constituents in the Far West town of Ivanhoe were not sufficiently informed about an opportunity for remote voting.

“It’s wonderful that the AEC has organised for a Remote Voter Services team to visit the Ivanhoe area, but they needed to make sure all residents were aware of exactly when and where this would happen,” Mr Coulton said.

“So far the AEC’s conduct of the 2023 Referendum on a Voice to Parliament has left many residents in remote areas in the Parkes electorate in the dark as to how they can complete a ballot paper.

“Many residents in the Ivanhoe area have contacted my office recently to advise that they were not made aware of a Remote Voter Services team visiting the town.

“There is an assumption, which I find to be very city-centric, that all people across Australia receive their information online, which is just not true, especially in more remote areas or among older populations.

“I understand that the Remote Voter Service is the only opportunity for residents in Ivanhoe to vote in person locally. I’m sure that many have already requested postal votes or will figure out an alternative way to vote; however, I’m concerned about my constituents who may not be able to register or obtain a postal vote in time, and those who are unable to travel to another location to vote in person.”

Mr Coulton is encouraging those who may have missed the Remote Voter Service in their area to contact the AEC by phone on 13 23 26 if they are still struggling to organise an opportunity to vote in the Referendum.