Page 32 - Conducting Elections during COVID-19

14 INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCES OF CONDUCTING ELECTIONS DURING COVID-19

Australia

Australian Election Commission: Eden-Monaro by-
election

COVID-19 Safe Service Plan

The federal by-election for the electoral division of Eden-Monaro (New South Wales) was held on
Saturday 4 July 2020. The Australian Election Commission addressed the twin challenges of the recent
bushfire and COVID-19 while preparing for this by-election.
As for the recent bushfires, AEC provided that if a voter was temporarily displaced from enrolled address
due to the recent bushfires, he/she could remain enrolled at that address. However, if the bushfires
caused a voter to move residence to what he/she considered to be a permanent new arrangement,
then the enrolment had to be updated prior to the close of rolls for the by-election.
COVID-19 safety measures

With health and safety of the voters as a prime concern in planning for the said by-election due to the
COVID-19 pandemic, the AEC introduced a well-designed plan including a series measures for the by-
election in line with the advice of concerned health authorities. The Plan on safety measures envisaged
the Electors casting their vote in-person to witness a different voting experience with a number of
social distancing and hygiene measures implemented as compared to the past voting experiences.
AEC provided both in-person and postal voting options for the by-election. The Electors could plan
exercise of their franchise depending upon their personal circumstances. One was given option to
apply for postal vote. Voting from overseas was available via post only.
COVID-19 Safe Operating Model

The operating model for the by-election envisaged the introduced measures that conform to the
federal and local health advice and are applied within the mandate of the Commonwealth Electoral
Act 1918. The infection-control advice under the Eden-Monaro Service Plan has been provided by the
Australian Government’s Chief Medical Officer and reviewed by NSW and ACT health authorities.
AEC observed that while it was important to note and
implement these measures to protect the community, but it
will inevitably slow the voting process. While implementing
measures to reduce COVID-19 impact, cooperation of the
Electors and other Stakeholders was solicited for adherence
to the new measures at the polling places and at counting
centre. The counting of votes will also take longer due to the
measures in place at the polling places and at the counting
centre.

The expected increase in postal and pre-poll votes cast
will also impact the speed of the count, noting also the
legislative requirement to wait 13 days after election day
for the return of postal votes. As a result, it is likely to take
longer to formally declare a final result in this by-election
compared with previous federal by-elections.

However, the AEC, as per normal practice, was committed
to do everything possible to provide an indicative result on
polling night.
This Service Plan document outlines the ways in which the
key processes in the operation of the by-election would
stand modified or enhanced.