Council poll 2020: How to vote if in isolation

If you’re under the doctors’ orders not to go out, here’s how you can vote in the Gold Coast council poll election.

NURSING home patients, people under doctors’ orders not to go out and Gold Coasters who have flown back from overseas to go into two weeks of self isolation are able to vote by phone in the council elections or in the Currumbin by-election.

But healthy people who don’t fit the criteria yet try for an easy way to cast their vote should not attempt to sneak through Electoral Commission Queensland’s call centre system.

The commission said yesterday telephone voting was available for “certain eligible voters, including anyone who has been advised by a medical practitioner to remain in isolation during the election period due to exposure to COVID-19’’.

But it warned phone voting could not be used by electors who were able to visit a polling booth.

Gold Coasters in isolation can vote by phone.

“They will not be processed and if attempting to use this option, are delaying eligible voters from the service,’’ a spokesperson said.

“The 2020 local government elections are taking place within unique circumstances and the ECQ has enhanced its service delivery approach for these elections.

“As a result of these unique circumstances, there has been an increased volume of phone calls to both the information and phone voting numbers.

“The number of electors who’ve successfully registered for telephone voting are 11,066 with 5909 having voted – as of noon on March 23.

“The ECQ expects there will be continuing phone voting inquiries through to election day.’’

Phones are open from 8am to 6pm.

Phone lines are open from 8am to 6pm. Photo: Brett Wortman

But the process is not as simple as ringing up and choosing from a list of candidates.

Before phoning the ECQ phone voting call centre on 1300 912 782, people eligible for phone voting should be familiar with who the candidates are, either from reading the Bulletin or by visiting www.ecq.qld.gov.au before making their calls.

And yes, that’s plural. They will have to make two calls to that number – the first to arrange registration and a pin number before making the second call to vote.

As well as knowing who they will vote for, phone voters also have to have the maroon card mailed to them by the electoral commission that advises which Gold Coast division they are in. They will be asked on their first call to read out an identification number on that slip, and then asked to identify themselves by giving a full name, date of birth and their electoral address.

As a result, they will be provided a registration number and pin number for their second call, either by email, text or follow-up phone call from the centre.

But do not expect it all to happen within a few seconds, unless you’re feeling lucky.

From the Bulletin’s experience, it might take several calls to get through, only to be placed on hold while a voice advises the centre is receiving greater than normal call volumes and thanking you for your patience.

The ECQ spokesperson said the average wait time was about 14 minutes.

The commission urged voters to be patient, because staff were dealing with heavy call loads.

“Phone voting registration must be received before noon on election day, with voting available until the close of polls on at election day at 6pm,’’ the spokesperson said.