This Friday, citizens will be asked to cast their votes on possible amendments to two sections of the Constitution relating to family and care. Here are key things you need to know about the upcoming referendums.
Preparing to vote
By this moment, you should have received a voting information card delivered to your home. This card should outline your voter number and indicate the name of the voting station you should proceed to, which should likely be the one closest to your home. Accompanying your information card will be a memo explaining what these referendums comprehend. If possible, bring this voting card along with a valid form of identification to your voting station. If you are a registered voter and your voting card has not been received, you can still vote, but ensure to carry an identity document with you. Valid identification could be your passport, driving licence, student or public services card.
Voting process
Voting centres will be open from 7 am to 10 pm. Upon arrival, you will be asked to provide your full name and residential address. A stamped ballot paper will be passed to you for you to carry into the booth. Though pencils will be provided, you may elect to use your personal pen.
Your ballot paper will have straightforward instructions on how to cast your vote as well as details of the referendum proposal. It will ask for your approval or disapproval of the proposal. On the sheet, mark an “X” in either the “yes” or “no” box, and then fold it and drop it in the securely closed ballot box.
The 39th amendment ballot
The first question pertains to Article 41.1.1 and Article 41.3.1 of the Constitution – the proposals referring to the family. It will be presented on a white paper. Electors will be asked a single question – yes or no – on what are essentially two proposed modifications.
As it currently stands, Article 41.1.1 reads: “The State recognises the Family as the primary and essential group unit of Society, and a moral institution that has unalienable and non-prescribable rights, that are antecedent and superior to all positive law.”
The government is proposing to modify certain phrases, replacing nine words with, “The State acknowledges the Family, whether it’s established through marriage or enduring relationships, as the foundational community group, and as a moral entity with ingrained, indisputable rights, superior to all established laws.”
This proposal also impacts Article 41.3.1, which asserts, “The State commits to defend the institution of marriage with excellent care, underpinning the Family, and to shield it against threats.” It’s suggested that it be edited to say, “The State commits to defend the institution of Marriage, ensuring its protection from threats.”
Furthermore, the 40th amendment is the subject of the second ballot paper, centred on the care referendum, presented on a paper distinguished by a green hue.
The government also recommends a complete retraction of Article 41.2, which is currently, “The State acknowledges that a woman’s domestic life supports the State in a unique way, without which societal welfare cannot be attained. Therefore, the State shall strive to ensure that out of financial necessity, mothers should not neglect their domestic roles.”
It aims to introduce an entirely fresh article, Article 42B, stating, “The State recognises that the familial support from the members of a family to one another due to their relationships, contributes to societal welfare, an achievement incomparable to any other, hence it shall endeavour to back up such provision.”
There are a few rules voters should adhere to at the polling station. Refrain from photographing or taking ‘selfies’ within the premises to maintain voting confidentiality, but feel free to share updates online once you’ve exited the station. Avoid writing extra notes on the ballot paper as it could result in an invalid vote. Lastly, campaigning is prohibited within a fifty-metre radius of a polling station.
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