Vote by phone

You can vote by phone in the Nepean District by-election if you:

  • are blind
  • have low vision
  • have a motor impairment and need help to cast your vote.

Phone voting is open until voting closes at 6 pm on Saturday 2 May.

Opening hours:

  • 9 am to 8 pm weekdays
  • 1 pm to 8 pm Anzac Day, Saturday 25 April
  • 9 am to 6 pm, Friday 1 May.
  • 8 am to 6 pm, Saturday 2 May

Secret voting

Here's how we keep your vote anonymous when you’re voting by phone:

  • An election official will help you register to vote.
  • A different election official, who doesn't know your identity, will take your vote.
  • The person taking your vote won't see your name or address. Instead, you identify yourself with a unique registration ID and a 4-digit pin.
  • While your vote is marked on the ballot paper, a second election official will listen to the conversation to make sure your vote is marked on the ballot paper exactly how you've said. They'll repeat it back to you to verify your vote was cast as intended.
  • Scrutineers, who represent the candidates, can watch the election officials' processes. They aren't allowed to listen to your phone conversation.

Before you vote

It's important you research all the candidates and decide who you want to vote for before you call us to vote.

We can't give you advice on who to vote for, or any information about the candidates.

You can find out what the candidates stand for:

  • in the news
  • on their websites
  • on their social media channels
  • or by contacting them directly with any questions.
Find candidates

How to register and vote by phone

Follow these instructions to vote by phone in this by-election. Please allow at least 30 minutes to register and cast your vote.

  • Step 1: register to vote
    1. Call us on 135 723 during opening hours
    2. Tell us your name and address so we can confirm you're enrolled in this election.
    3. Declare that you're eligible for telephone-assisted voting, for example, 'I'm eligible to vote by phone'.
    4. Tell us your preferred contact method (phone or email) for us to use when we give you your unique registration ID.
    5. We'll also ask you to pick a 4-digit code. Keep this code safe - you won't be able to vote by phone without it.
    6. We'll email or call you back with your unique registration ID. Keep this unique ID safe - you won't be able to vote by phone without it.
  • Step 2: voting
    1. Call us on 135 723 when you've received your unique registration ID.
    2. Don't provide your name – just tell our staff member your unique registration ID and 4-digit code.
    3. An election official will read out the candidates and their parties (if they have one) to you the same way they appear on the ballot paper. You can tell the official your voting preferences.
    4. A second election official will listen to the conversation to make sure your vote is being written on the ballot paper exactly the way you've said to.
    5. When your ballot paper is filled in, the second election official will read it back to you for your confirmation. They'll then put your ballot paper in a sealed ballot box.

    Scrutineers represent candidates to make sure our processes are fair and transparent. They can observe this process. They cannot listen to your actual telephone conversation.