Dementia and voting

September 20, 2023

Picture: Credit to AEC 

Dementia Australia has recently released a fact sheet for residents and their families calling on people living with dementia, their families and carers to start the conversation now about voting in advance of the Voice to Parliament referendum on 14 October.

Maree McCabe, CEO of Dementia Australia says, “It may be that someone needs support to vote, for example, being reminded to attend their local polling place on the right date or helping them arrange a postal vote or to attend an early voting centre.”

The Australian Electoral Commission’s (AEC) website contains information about the voting process in simple, clear language to assist people living with dementia, their families and carers. There is also a helpful video on how to enrol and vote on the AEC’s website.

If it is decided that someone is no longer capable of understanding the nature and significance of voting, the appropriate form can be completed and submitted through the Australian Electoral Commission to remove them from the electoral roll. The medical certificate on the form must be completed and signed by a registered medical practitioner.

For more information, please visit dementia.org.au or call the Dementia Australia hotline on 1800 100 500.