Image: Glam Adelaide
COVID-impacted individuals in isolation can still vote safely in the 2022 South Australian State Election, according to the Electoral Commission of South Australia (ECSA).
Electors who are COVID positive or a close contact required to isolate or quarantine or who present with COVID symptoms will be eligible to register to pick up a voting pack at a selected PCR or RAT collection site across the state.
In a State Election first, the voting packs can be collected prior to voting so if you have COVID-19 symptoms or are a close contact between Thursday 17 March and Saturday 19 March, visit the ECSA website ecsa.sa.gov.au to register for a voting pack to pick up from your designated PCR or RAT collection site.
Electoral Commissioner Mick Sherry said with just days to go until the State Election, it’s important voters who are in isolation after 5 pm this evening (Wednesday 16 March) and will be in isolation on election day this Saturday 19 March, have the opportunity to vote safely.
“We are committed to ensuring all South Australians can vote safely in the 2022 State Election, including those affected by COVID-19,” he said.
“We have 22 RAT and PCR sites set up across the state, including regional communities which double as voting pack collection points.
“These sites will operate this Thursday 17 March, Friday 18 March and Saturday 19 March to allow South Australians who have COVID-19 or are close contacts the opportunity to cast their vote safely.
“Individuals who have been notified by or notify SA Health that they are COVID-19 positive or have registered with SA Health as a close contact will be sent a text message containing a link to register for the voting pack. They will then receive instructions on when and where to collect their pack from the designated PCR or RAT collection site via a text message.
“Electors are able to leave isolation to collect and post their ballot papers so they can exercise their right to vote as part of the approved directions.”
Voting in-person on election day
Mr Sherry said voters should also feel safe and confident to attend a polling booth on election day with a raft of COVID safety measures in place.
“All polling booths will have socially distanced queues, sanitisation stations, mandatory mask-wearing, single-use pencils, double vaccinated electoral officials and hygiene and density control officers in place,” he said.
“We’re reminding the public to bring their EasyVote card or State Election app to the polling booth on election day to speed up the voting process.
“Voters can also use the app to plan ahead and check on wait times at polling booths.”
A record 1.26 million South Australians are enrolled to vote this State Election.
More than 154,000 electors have applied for a postal vote this election.
Find more information on how COVID-19 impacted electors can vote, HERE.
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