SAP public event behaviour guidelines
- Voting centres
- Markets and Festivals
Voting centre volunteering is very rewarding.
You are standing up for your convictions and representing something you believe in – an independent community movement with an evidence-based policy platform, campaigning to put our environment first. More specifically, we are campaigning to stop corruption, stop overdevelopment and stabilise Australia's population size.
As a volunteer for Sustainable Australia Party you’ll need enthusiasm and a smile. You’ll be representing the party, its policies and its candidates.
Well over 1 in 10 voters decide who to vote for on the day of the election. That's why it's so important to have a presence at the voting centre!
There are a few things to be aware of re voting centre regulations. Most notably, by law, you are required to stand no closer than 6 metres from the entrance to the polling booth. The entrance is often the front door to the school, hall, etc. But if in doubt please ask the AEC (or state electoral commission official) voting centre official to clarify this for you.
If you have time, read our policies on our website (or they can be easily accessed via your mobile phone!), so you can answer any basic questions.
On election day (NB: early voting is different, so please double check the starting time!) voting centres generally open at 8am and close at 6pm
On election day, we have two shifts (always arrive 15+ minutes early):
- AM: 8am-1pm
- PM: 1pm - 6pm
We particularly need people to fill the all-important morning shift (8am-1pm) because this covers most of the day's voters.
Arrival
Arrive early (by 7:45) because some voters arrive early to line up to vote at 8am. Start by offering everyone in the line a SAP how-to-vote (HTV) card.
Then, join the voting centre 'pack' at the main entrance.
What to say?
Smile and say hello / g’day / good morning / good afternoon to voters if you get the chance.
When offering our HTV card, you should simply smile and say:
“Sustainable Australia Party"
NB: If you can, add "Stop overdevelopment"...
If a voter stops to talk to you, read / talk them through the HTV card, which acts as your messaging guide.
Do not stray from the points on the HTV card. If they ask about other policies, you can either say "I'm just a volunteer and not sure, but you can check our website" or use your smart phone to show them our policies on (say) environment, health, etc:
www.sustainableaustralia.org.au/policies
If they decline to take a how-to-vote card, keep smiling and wish them a good day. There may be the occasional rude voter, but we still have to be warm and pleasant to them. Don’t take it personally or allow such people to take up your precious time and lose the potential to hand out HTV cards. Focus on smiling at the next person.
Remember, you are representing Sustainable Australia. Always be respectful of voters and volunteers from other parties. Do not get into arguments.
Important
- Please do not experiment with different messaging or give your personal views on policy issues to voters or volunteers from other parties.
- Please do not get bogged down talking at length to individuals or other candidates' volunteers, as you will miss many more people.
- If you want to invite someone else to help at a voting centre (including family, friends, or friends of friends), they must ALL register with SAP to volunteer AND read this behaviour guide.
Preferences and policies
If voters ask about preferences, tell them Sustainable Australia Party is an independent community movement from the political centre and prefers that voters allocate their own preferences.
Note: Take your SAP HTV cards, t-shirt or cap, sunscreen, jacket, umbrella, chair, water, snacks/lunch and any party signage you have.
Most importantly, please enjoy this interesting experience that helps build our collective political skills.
To volunteer: CLICK HERE (and mention 'voting centre')
Thank you!
P.S. If you are volunteering at other events, such as markets or festivals, use the same 'What to say?' behaviour guidelines noted above, but substitute HTV cards for flyers or business cards.