In a win for Systemic Advocacy the Disability Advisory Committee of the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) has achieved amendments to the voting process making it easier for people with a disability (and their carers) to vote.
The amendments secured recognise being a person with a disability (or their carer) may mean that the person is unable to travel to a polling place and allows them to either register as a general postal voter or apply for a postal or pre-poll vote for a specific poll.
In addition, the reforms have replaced the labels of “being of unsound mind” and “unsoundness of mind” with the much more appropriate recognition of disability by using the phrase “cognitive impairment”.
The changes are now (21/2/2025) included in the AEC “Information for people with disability or mobility restrictions“.
Disability Justice Australia Inc (DJA) hopes our members and site visitors find this information useful. If you are not already a member of DJA, please consider joining — membership is free. Click here for more details.