Marriage Equality: “Yes” Has a Massive Lead, But Six Million Aussies Are Yet to Vote

It may sound strange that a survey has been taken to anticipate the results of another survey, but here we are.

A special Newspoll by The Australian shows the “Yes” vote has a commanding lead in the ongoing marriage equality postal survey, with 59 per cent of those who’ve already returned their ballots in favour of same-sex marriage.

By comparison, only 38 per cent of voters had ticked the ‘No’ box on their returned ballot.

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Yesterday, the Australian Bureau of Statistics revealed that 10.8 million Australians have had their say on the matter, indicating a participation rate of 67.5 per cent.

Turnout for Australia's postal survey (67.5) so far is bigger than:
- US election (55.7)
- Irish ssm referendum (60.52)
- UK election (65.4)

— Alice Workman (@workmanalice) October 17, 2017

However, that means approximately six million eligible voters are yet to post back their vote.

Given these numbers, the “No” campaign would need to win at least three out of every four remaining votes, The Australian reports.

But that seems exceedingly unlikely, given that the Newspoll also found 56 per cent of those who have not voted are still in favour of same-sex marriage. Just 37 per cent of those remaining voters were against marriage equality.

Voters still have until October 20 to order a replacement form, and until November 7 to return them (but, for safety’s sake, you’ll want to get it back by October 27—this is snail mail, after all).

And the Newspoll found there are still plenty of young voters who are holding onto their ballots. Of voters aged 18 to 34, turnout sits at around 57 per cent.

So, get on it!

Photo: iStock.com/Jodie Barker