How Covid will affect SA election

The March 19 state election will be SA’s first during the Covid-19 pandemic. Here’s how it’s likely to change the way people vote.

An increasing number of South Australians are expected to cast their votes early at the upcoming state election before crucial information emerges about candidates and their policies, raising fears over the integrity of the poll.

The March 19 state election will be the state’s first under the Covid-19 pandemic.

SA Electoral Commissioner Mick Sherry expects pre-poll and postal voting to be more popular than ever as voters seek to avoid crowded booths on election day.

“There has been an increase in early voting at every state and territory election held since the pandemic began,” Mr Sherry said.

“We anticipate and are planning for a similar increase in early voting here in South Australia.”

A total of 120,468 people cast their vote early at the 2018 state election – 10.8 per cent of all votes.

Political science expert Haydon Manning said the expected increase in pre-poll voting was a cause of concern for the election’s integrity.

“One of the unfortunate consequences of early voting today across Australia is the fact that many voters are not privy to an election campaign and the unfolding differences between the parties,” the Flinders University professor said.

“It really throws a spanner in the works for the traditional notion of a four-week campaign where the leaders endeavour to attract voter attention around their vision.”

Less people are expected to line up at polling booths for the 2022 state election. Picture: Bianca De Marchi

But Prof Manning said postal voting improved accessibility under Australia’s regimen of compulsory voting.

“It’s a necessary compromise, but like all compromises, it’s flawed (and) it’s got inherent problems,” he said.

Prof Manning said it was understandable people would want to vote early this year to avoid coming into contact with Covid, but they would be voting “less informed, and that’s clearly a negative”.

Mr Sherry said there would be more than 700 polling booths across the state and Covid-safe measures would be introduced at all locations.

“There will also be more early voting centres to cater for an expected increase in the number of eligible electors voting early,” he said.

In one particular Covid-safe measure, voters will be encouraged to bring their own pen or pencil to cast their votes. But single-use pencils will be available at polling stations.

SA Electoral Commissioner Mick Sherry expects pre-poll and postal voting to be more popular than ever.

Mr Sherry said he was required by law to “promote and encourage” the casting of votes at polling booths on polling day, rather than early voting or by post.

Early voting centres are normally open for two weeks prior to polling day.

A government bill allowiong voters living with a disability, in a nursing home, or overseas to cast their vote by phone stalled in state parliament and won’t be passed before the election.

Airlie Keen, who is running for Hammond as an independent, called on parliament to allow wider access to postal voting to keep people “safe from Covid-19”.

Under the Electoral Act, only certain voters who have legitimate reasons for not attending on polling day can apply to do a postal vote.

Ms Keen said she was “concerned” the Electoral Commission’s Covid precautions, including social distancing, mask wearing and QR codes, would not be enough to keep voters safe.

“There is a risk that the fast-approaching election could become a superspreader event.”

“Postal voting should be open to anyone who wants it given the circumstances our state now faces,” she said

Expanding postal votes would require parliament to amend the Electoral Act, but Premier Steven Marshall has ruled out recalling parliament before the election.

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Originally published as How Covid will affect SA election