Australians go to over 7000 polling centers today, 14 October 2023, to decide whether to alter the Australian Constitution or not in n a referendum since 1999. Registered voters are to write "YES" or "NO" on the ballot to this question:
"Do you approve of the proposed alteration in the Constitution to recognize the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice?"
The Parliament of Australia has already agreed to propose Chapter IX - Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to the Constitution. The chapter would include section 129, which would be:
"In recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Islander peoples as the First Peoples of Australia:
i. there shall be a body, to be called the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voicee;
ii. the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice may make representations to the Parliament and the Executive Government of the Commonwealth on matters relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples;
iii. the Parliament shall, subject to this Constitution, have the power to make laws with respect to matters relating to the Aboriginal and Torres Islander Voice, including its composition, functions, powers, and procedures." (Source: aec.gov.au)
For the referendum to succeed, more than 50% of the voters countrywide must vote "YES", and there must also be a majority of YES voters in at least 4 of the 6 states.
The polling centers open from 8:00 pm until 6:00 PM
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UPDATE:
The "NO" vote won nationally with all six states rejecting the proposed alteration in the Constitution.
