Diversity and inclusion

We have a responsibility to provide electoral services that are relevant, accessible and inclusive to help all eligible voters understand and participate in the democratic process. 

Community reference groups

We support three priority communities: Aboriginal people, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and people with disability. We currently convene two community reference groups:

• Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Reference Group

• Equal Access to Democracy Disability Reference Group.

These groups provide valuable information about barriers to voting for their communities, and access to wider networks and distribution channels to help us engage with those communities. The reference groups include representatives from peak bodies, government and non-government organisations.

Targeted material and special assistance

Our targeted resources support our communities to participate in state and local government elections.

Multilingual assistance

We produce information about how to enrol and how to vote in elections in various community languages, available on our website. The Translating and Interpreting Service is available for electors who require language assistance on election day, for early voting and pre-poll, and telephone enquiries. 

Assistance for people with disability

We work with our partner organisations to produce resources for electors with disabilities. These resources include Auslan videos and easy-read guides about how to enrol and how to vote in elections. Find more information on our People with disability page.

For state elections, telephone voting is available for eligible electors: people who are blind or have low vision, people who have reading difficulties or have other disabilities.

For local government elections, electors can vote early with Braille ballot papers. All voting centres and polling places have accessible voting screens, maxi pens and magnifying action-planssheets.

Community education resources

The NSW Electoral Commission develops a range of resources for voters and political participants to support access to voting and electoral processes. 

These resources include translated information and resources, easy read guides, Auslan resources, social media assets, and instructional videos for political participants.

View our community education resources.