The Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) is urging community groups across Victoria, including those in Maribyrnong and Hobsons Bay, to book a free voter education session.
Titled ‘Be Heard!’, the sessions are offered through the VEC’s Democracy Ambassador program, which aims to support voters who are under-represented in the ballot box to learn how to make their vote count in the elections.
The sessions will cover who can vote, how to enrol to vote, how to vote correctly, and where to get help to vote.
According to the VEC, democracy ambassadors were recruited from communities that are less represented in the electoral process, including culturally and linguistically diverse communities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, people experiencing homelessness, people with disabilities and young, potentially first-time voters.
Sessions are provided completely free of charge, and, between them, the democracy ambassadors speak 14 languages.
VEC electoral commissioner Sven Bluemmel said the democracy ambassadors were ready to travel all over the state to assist voters.
“Participants in our Be Heard Democracy Ambassador sessions are given a safe space to learn about enrolling and voting,” Mr Bluemmel said.
“They are supported by interpreters, translated information, and Easy English resources to take home.”
Details: vec.vic.gov.au/info-session
