This is an HTML version of an attachment to the Freedom of Information request 'Documents pertaining to the 2023 referendum ballot papers'.





  A large number of clients have asked for the ballot paper's design to be changed. We have advised that the 
design of the ballot paper is set out in the R(MP)A and that this would require legislative change. 
  Approximately one in four people are responding a second time to our emails. These are being handled by 
senior Wizard Cell supervisors (Adam, Sam and Kate), and are essentially reiterating advice already 
provided.  
s 22
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Thanks 
s 47F  
 
 
 
s 47F
r | Director  
Operational Services Strategy, Design and Data  
Service Design & Foundations Branch  
Australian Electoral Commission 
s 47F
  
 
 
 
 
From: Kath Gleeson s 47F
  
Sent: Friday, August 25, 2023 8:53 AM 
To: s 47F
 
Cc: Tania Wilson s 47F
; Cathie Kennedy s 47F
 Michael Lynch 
s 47F
 
s 47F
 
Subject: RE: Scripts re ticks and crosses [SEC=OFFICIAL] 
 
Thanks s 47F, please keep me posted on the progress of complaints (and escalate any that come from high profile 
individuals or that demonstrate any level of coordination).  
 
Can we also soften the ECCA script please from this: 
 
ECCA script (approved by SDFB): 
The prescribed method of voting is to write 'yes' or 'no' on a referendum ballot paper. If the voter's 
intention is not clear, ballot papers will not be counted as formal. As ticks alone are capable of clearly 
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s 22
 
 
Thanks 
 
s 47F  
 
 
s 47F
 | Director  
Operational Services Strategy, Design and Data  
Service Design & Foundations Branch  
Australian Electoral Commission 
s 47F
  
 
 
 
 
From: Kath Gleeson s 47F
  
Sent: Friday, August 25, 2023 7:57 AM 
To: s 47F
 
Cc: Tania Wilsons 47F
 Cathie Kennedys 47F
 Lynch 
s 47F
 
Subject: Scripts re ticks and crosses [SEC=OFFICIAL] 
 
H s 47F - can you please review the scripts for call centre and wizard cell on use of ticks and crosses (and formality 
generally) in light of media in the last 24 hours? Grateful if we can ensure it is very explicit that voters must write yes 
or no and be very careful around how it deals with the savings provision; please check with s 47F that it is consistent 
with what we are saying in other external forums.  
 
Happy to discuss or review as needed. 
 
s 47F
 - do we have good FAQs to support staff in Divs answering these questions if they come in today?  
 
Thank you, 
 
Kath  
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