The Frustration of Being Too Young to Vote in the Marriage Equality Postal Survey

Under 18? Feeling helpless about the marriage equality postal survey? A student contributor shares your frustration.

Australia has finally reached a possible turning point in equality, yet our generation will barely get a say.

It will be our generation that bears the consequences of a "no" result in the marriage equality postal survey; an increasingly plausible possibility due to the growing support for the "no" vote.

Both sides have taken a strong hold on the media, but many of us did not expect the "no" campaign to be so influential. Over the course of the campaign, the "yes" vote has fallen from 62 per cent to 57 per cent.

Support for "yes" still greatly outnumbers support for the "no" vote (which, according to a Guardian Essential poll, is closer to 33 per cent). But considering the postal survey is voluntary, who knows how many are actually going to vote, or what the final result might be? The Guardian is cautiously optimistic for a "yes" result, with 88 per cent of "yes" voters having already voted or planning on definitely voting, compared to 80 per cent of "no" voters. But the final score could be much closer than us "yes" supporters are comfortable with.

Read More:

Marriage Equality: What Are the Mental Health Consequences of a "No" Result in the Postal Survey?

That’s what makes it so frustrating for the rest of us; the ones who are underage and cannot vote. It is our generation that has made some of the biggest pushes in equality and has been so open about sexuality. It is our generation that has witnessed first-hand the positive impact of equality. We go to school alongside our gay friends and peers and many of us accept and respect people’s sexualities; we talk openly and we aim not to bully or discriminate against anyone in the LGBTQI community.

That’s what makes me so sad about having no say and facing a potential "no" result; we may have to live and raise our children in a world where our friends and family members cannot express their love in one of the most special ways life has to offer: marriage.

The fate of our future and the future of our loved ones lies in the hands of all eligible Australian voters. Knowing we cannot do anything to alter the outcome of this survey does not help. We want to make a change; however, the furthest our voice and opinions reach is to our Facebook friends when we write a status update about the topic.

If the "yes" vote doesn’t win, the consequences are endless, affecting the lives of young Australians most. Our generation has incited some of the biggest pushes towards equality in all aspects of life, yet the future of the world we are going to live in lies in the hands of older Australians.

Who knows when we will get another opportunity like this? If you are lucky enough to have a ballot, don’t waste it.

If you or anyone you know needs help, support is available right now. Call Lifeline on 131 114 or Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800.

Visit ReachOut to get support to help you with everything from everyday issues through to tough times.

Ciara Burren is one of Student Edge’s student contributors. See more student contributions here.

Photo: iStock.com/Marc Bruxelle