The libertarian think tank that helped build the ‘No’ case (www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au)

submitted 1 year ago by vividspecter@lemm.ee to c/australianpolitics@aussie.zone

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[-] Nonameuser678@aussie.zone 12 points 1 year ago

All the people who brought pens with them to vote because they thought AEC workers were going to change their vote are absolutely something we need to be concerned about moving forward.

[-] maegul@lemmy.ml 10 points 1 year ago

I ... did not know this was a thing. I heard someone in the line mention they had brought their own and thought it quirky. JFC, what a cheap and meaningless way to feel like you're in control of your world.

[-] Nonameuser678@aussie.zone 7 points 1 year ago

Oh it's a thing. My mum worked for AEC on the day and said lots of people in her area brought pens with them. I handed out HTV cards on the day and saw a few people come up to the no campaign people to ask them if their votes were legal because they did it in pencil.

[-] abhibeckert@beehaw.org 1 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

To be fair, there's nothing wrong with bringing your own pen (or a pencil).

Their reasons might be stupid but there are enough good reasons and lots of people carry a pen or pencil with them everywhere they go anyway.

Those pencils the AEC provides are not free, they do wear out, and they do need to be cleaned/sanitised continuously throughout the day which is definitely not free. Tens of thousands of people were paid a lot of money to clean those pencils. Bringing your own reduces staffing costs for the AEC.