Voting drunk allowed, bribing others not: What Australians can and can't do in the polling booth on election day
With this year's federal election now only days away, the AEC is warning voters what they can and can't do at the polling booth - and what could land them in prison.
There are things the Australian Electoral Commission doesn't prohibit, including allowing people to be intoxicated when they their vote, or taking a picture of their ballot paper.
However, bribery, interfering with political liberty and leaving a voting recommendation for the next person are firmly in the don't-do category. What can lead to prison time
The AEC's website lists a number of penalties surrounding voting that if committed, could lead to a term of imprisonment.
Anyone who intentionally casts more than one vote in the same election can face a prison sentence of up to 12 months and a fine of up to $19,800.
Bribing someone else to vote in a particular way can result in a two-year prison sentence, and hindering or interfering with another person's right to vote can land the offender in jail for three years.
Owners or employees of hospitals or nursing homes cannot influence the vote of a patient or resident and can be sent to prison for six months if found guilty.
Leaving the next person to enter the polling booth a voting recommendation is not an imprisonable offence but is still outlawed under the Referendum Act. What voters can do legally
Voters are allowed to use their mobile phones in the booths and 'generally speaking' can even take a photo of their own ballot paper, the AEC confirmed to Sky News.
Though Australia has secret ballot system, an AEC spokesperson said it is matter for individuals as to whether they want to give up that secrecy.
'Generally speaking it's fine to take a sneaky shot of your own ballot paper if you want to post it to social media... or to take a quick selfie so long as you don't include other voters or AEC staff in the shot,' the spokesperson said.
Voters also can't film other's votes or the electoral roll and certified lists, and it can be an offence to film inside a polling place without the permission of the officer in charge.
There are no specific rules barring people from voting intoxicated, but there won't be any alcohol sold under the same roof as polling stations.
'We do have a rule in the Electoral Act that requires any licensed premises we use as a polling place to not sell alcohol in the same part of the building in which polling is happening,' the AEC spokesperson said.
Pets are also OK for voters to bring with them, but the electoral commission asks that people leave their pets tied up outside a polling place where possible.
"Assistance animals are of course allowed inside a polling place as they are professionals doing an important job," the spokesperson said.
Rules also apply to staff at the booths, and with election day only just around the corner, Housing Minister Clare O'Neil has been heavily scrutinised over discussions to recruit volunteers associated with a CCP-linked organisation.
The Australian reported that ten individuals associated with a group linked to Beijing's influence operations agency were being recruited to staff the minister's polling booths on election day.
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