Let’s make a date with democracy – for October 2018
17/06/2014
Dignity for Disability MLC Kelly Vincent has introduced legislation into Parliament this afternoon to move State Election Polling Day from March to October in an attempt to give the state a better go at democracy.
“By amending the Constitution Act 1934, I’m seeking support for Election Day to be relocated from its current ‘Mad March’ date to the fourth Saturday in October,” says Kelly Vincent.
“In doing so, I hope South Australians can be more engaged in the democratic process of electing our state parliamentarians every four years.
“At State Election 2014, more than a third of voters chose to vote on a day other than polling day. Hundreds of thousands in the community are choosing to vote early because it is so busy in March with Adelaide Cup, the Clipsal 500, WOMADelaide, the Fringe and the Festival.
“Election Day is no longer a snapshot of how the electorate feels on that day – it is instead an indication of how the electorate feels across nearly three weeks of voting.
“Other politicians might feel those events provide a good distraction and allow them to escape their responsibility to be accountable to the electorate but Dignity for Disability would like to see a sharper focus on policies and issues affecting this state.
“The community have a right to be fully engaged in the voting process – having an election period clear of major events will allow comprehensive discussion of ideas and allow voters to make informed decisions,” said Ms Vincent.
