Noosa News
For thousands of migrant Australians, dealing with a Queensland election can be a ‘bewildering’ experience

On prior election days, Cambodian migrant Phay developed a habit of taking the first how-to-vote card handed to her and headed to a polling booth.
Key points:
- A lack of understanding about democracy and limited English can prevent many migrants from voting effectively
- Community group Belong runs a workshop to explain to migrants how best to cast their vote
- The workshop aims to reduce the prevalence of informal voting
She copied what was printed on that card onto her ballot and cast her vote.
Phay had been using this method for years — meaning each time she headed to the polls, the first party to approach her got her vote.
That was until her daughter Monisa, who grew up in Australia, became old enough to vote.
Elections then became a family…
Continue Reading