People with disabilities or mobility issues could have difficulty voting at the March state election, according to Airlie Keen, independent candidate for the seat of Hammond.

Ms Keen says only one polling booth in her electorate is fully wheelchair accessible and two are listed as not wheelchair friendly. 

She has suggested that voters who have a disability or mobility issues consider applying for a postal vote.

“From the strong response received from the ‘Ask Hammond Survey’, a number highlighted that more focus is needed on supporting people living with disabilities. 

“Between 24 and 33 percent of people across the three Local Government Areas within Hammond have a disability and between 12 and 18 percent are carers. Others have mobility issues, whether permanent or temporary. Therefore, access to buildings is an important issue for many in our community. 

“I remind electors with disabilities that they would be eligible to apply for a postal vote. Ballot papers will be mailed from 7 March where people can then vote in the safety and comfort of their own home.”

The Electoral Commission of South Australia (ECSA) says all polling booths are assessed for disability access and it endeavours to secure fully accessible locations wherever possible.

“However, as the majority of polling booths are only hired for one day, the location of a polling booth is limited to whatever is available resulting in some booths not being fully accessible.”

Fully accessible means that a person in a wheelchair can independently enter and exit the voting booth.

Assisted access means that a person in a wheelchair may not be able to independently enter and exit the booth, and assistance may be needed.

The full list of polling booths across the state and their accessibility is on the ECSA website.

Details of postal voting are also on the website and postal vote applications are also available from Post Offices and can be scanned and emailed to ECSA or mailed to Reply Paid 666 Adelaide SA 5001. 

The electorate of Hammond includes Strathalbyn, Langhorne Creek and Wellington and stretches across to Murray Bridge.

The last day the Electoral Commission SA can receive applications for a postal viote is on Thursday 17 March at 5pm.