A new poll has found that close to one in five Australians may choose to not vote on the Voice to parliament referendum – despite the possibility of a fine.
The poll, published in Nine newspapers, showed millions are yet to decide on whether they’ll support or oppose the proposal.
About 10 per cent of respondents said they would be unlikely to vote and another nine per cent are unsure.
However, the same poll found a majority of voters would back a constitutionally-enshrined Voice, with 58 per cent saying “yes” to the proposal and 42 per cent saying “no”.
This matches recent polling trends which suggest if a referendum were held now, it could reach the double majority it needs to pass.
To succeed, the Voice referendum needs to not only receive a simple majority of voters at a national level but a majority of voters in a majority of states – four of six.
Read Related Also: Mayor Adams: Get off the fence and stand up for charter schools
Voters in the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory count towards the national majority, but not toward the state majority.
‘There is no news’: Radio broadcaster’s slow news day
The vote is expected to be held at some point in October or November this year.
The Australian Electoral Commission has reminded voters to update their enrolment details.
Anybody who opts to not vote – or at least get their name checked off the list – could receive a fine, just as in a standard election.
Sign up here to receive our daily newsletters and breaking news alerts, sent straight to your inbox.
