Kiama MP Advocates for Election Material Reform

Ward's Strong Stance on Election Materials

Everyone hates election how-to-votes—even the people handing them out, says Kiama MP Gareth Ward. He dislikes it so much that he's planning to introduce a motion in state parliament banning the distribution of election material within a kilometre of polling booths for state and local government elections.

Complaints and Waste Pile Up

Mr. Ward noted a significant rise in complaints about how-to-vote materials, especially during the recent Kiama council election. He reported:

• Increasing discontent from voters about these materials.
• Concerns regarding the environmental waste and costs involved in producing them.

He insists that eliminating how-to-vote cards aligns with contemporary voting practices. Other regions, such as Tasmania and the ACT, have successfully instituted similar bans.

Proposing Modern Solutions

Mr. Ward is not simply calling for suppression of these cards; he advocates for innovative alternatives:

1. Introducing QR codes inside polling booths for easy access to voting information.
2. Reducing the need for physical materials that clutter the election process.

He highlighted how many voters now prefer digital information via their smartphones, suggesting that traditional methods are becoming less relevant. Furthermore, he mentioned that volunteers who typically distribute these cards are keen on more productive roles during elections.

In summary, Mr. Ward believes that both candidates and voters would benefit from moving away from outdated practices in favor of more efficient and environmentally conscious methods.