The Emergency Management (Voting Arrangements) (COVID-19) Direction 2022 has been created. This Direction came into effect at 2.31pm on 16 March 2022.
People who are a COVID-19 positive case or close contact and are quarantining in their place of residence (not a medi-hotel), or who are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms and have not received their PCR result yet, can vote in the State election by registering to collect a ballot pack by:
- Registering at cvs.ecsa.sa.gov.au; or
- Calling the Electoral Commission of South Australia (ECSA) call centre on 1300 655 232 if they do not have internet access.
Once registered, they are permitted to leave their place of quarantine to collect their ballot pack or post their ballot provided they:
- travel directly to the designated ballot pack pick-up point (instructions are provided by ECSA when registration to collect a ballot pack is completed);
- travel in their car alone or with someone else who is also quarantining at the same location (all people in the car must wear a mask at all time);
- present their SMS confirmation of registration (or electoral role number if they do not have a mobile phone) at the ballot pick-up point; and
- Upon collecting their ballot pack, they return directly to their place of isolation or quarantine, unless:
- The person is posting their vote; or
- Otherwise authorised to leave quarantine or isolation under the Exposure Sites, Contacts, and Diagnosis Requirements Direction.
People who are isolating outside of the electoral district and for whom it is impracticable to collect a ballot pack from a ballot pick-up point can arrange to collect a ballot pack from an alternative pick-up point by calling the ECSA call centre (1300 655 232). They also need to comply with the above conditions for collection.
However, people do not need to leave isolation to post their vote if:
- another person is able to collect their declaration voting papers without entering the premises and post them on the elector's behalf; or
- their ballot pack is delivered by an authorised individual; or
- their quarantine period ends on Sunday, 20 March 2022.
Leaving quarantine or isolation under this direction does NOT apply to:
- People whose quarantine ends before Saturday 19 March 2022, as they will be able to post their ballot or attend a polling booth before their closure; or
- people who are isolating or quarantining in a medi-hotel, COVID Accommodation Support Centre (ASC) or hospital as they can request voting papers from the electoral officer at the medi-hotel or COVID ASC and return their completed voting papers to the officer in a sealed envelope.
For more information, visit: https://www.ecsa.sa.gov.au/elections/2022-state-election/covid19
The information above only highlights the key changes made to the Directions and does not reflect all requirements. Members of the public are encouraged to see the full Directions for further information.
All existing directions, frequently asked questions and other information can be found here: https://www.covid-19.sa.gov.au/emergency-declarations
If you require further information you can call the SA COVID-19 Information Line on 1800 253 787 between the hours of 8am to 8pm 7 days per week or go to the SA Health website at www.sahealth.sa.gov.au or www.sa.gov.au/covid-19
