They say third time’s a charm, with the debate on marriage equality back in full force. After the plebiscite got knocked back late last year and again earlier this month, the government is now turning to a postal survey to get our views on the issue.

Confused yet?

Don’t stress – you’re not alone. To clear the confusion, here’s our plain-English overview of the Australian Marriage Law survey – what it means and how you can vote.

So what is the Australian Marriage Law Survey, anyway?

The Australian Marriage Law Survey is a way to gauge the Australian public’s opinion on whether or not to legalise same-sex marriage. Note that it is a survey, rather than a vote, and is being run by the Australian Bureau of Statistics instead of the Australian Electoral Commission.

To give you some more context, here’s how the survey compares to referendums and plebiscites, or the other ways the government can take a national vote.

A referendum is compulsory, binding and used to measure opinion on issues that could affect the constitution, like the 1999 referendum about whether or not Australia should become a republic. A plebiscite, on the other hand, is used to measure opinion on issues that won’t affect the constitution. They may or may not be compulsory, and the results aren’t legally binding.

When it comes to the Marriage Law Survey, the vote is voluntary, and the results aren’t legally binding. Having said this, the Government has committed to introduce legislation to amend the Marriage Act if the survey suggests that most Australians think that same sex couples should be allowed to marry.

So how do you vote in the Australian Marriage Law Survey?

Here are a handful of thing to keep in mind to make your vote count:

1. Make sure you’re enrolled to vote. If you voted at the last election and you still live at the same address, you’re already enrolled to vote in the survey. If you aren’t sure, check your enrolment.
2. Keep an eye on the deadlines. The deadline for enrolment is midnight on August 24, so make sure your details are up to date to have your say. Once your ballot papers arrive (this will be after September 12), the final deadline for returning your vote is November 7 (though you’re ‘strongly encouraged’ to return your form by October 27).
3. Make sure your writing is legible. Make sure your ‘yes’ or ‘no’ vote is clear and easy to read to ensure your vote gets counted.
4. No added extras, please! While it’s tempting to sprinkle glitter into your ballot envelope or include a letter or complaints, this will get destroyed when your vote is being processed, and it might mean your vote gets lost as well.

In short, if you want your vote to count, be on time, write clearly, and save the glitter bombs for parties.

Ready to get started? Check your enrolment today!