There have been a lot of questions from voters who are isolating due to a positive COVID-19 test. According to sources, the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) website had incorrect information as people searched for answers so they can lodge their vote.

On the North Coast, there were another 366 COVID cases yesterday with 81 in Lismore so this has affected thousands of voters.

Here is the step by step instructions outlined on the AEC website .

STEP 1: REGISTER ON-LINE

Online registration is available until 4pm AEST Saturday 21 May 2022.

To register to vote by telephone as a COVID-affected person, you are required to make a declaration and provide evidence that you have tested positive for COVID-19 after 6pm local time Friday 13 May 2022. You will need evidence of your positive COVID-19 test result, including:

• if PCR – location of the testing centre, date and time you received your positive test result, and the reference number from your health authority (if provided)
• if RAT – date and time of positive RAT result, brand and serial number of RAT (if available) and reference number from health authority following registration of your positive RAT (if provided)

You will be prompted to confirm your details on the electoral roll, complete an eligibility questionnaire and choose a 6-digit PIN. You will then receive an 8-digit telephone voting registration number. You can choose to have this sent by SMS or email.

If you are unable to register online, call 1800 413 960. Registering over the phone is open until 4pm local time Saturday 21 May 2022. If you are a silent elector you will need to register by phone.

STEP 2: CALL TO VOTE

Telephone voting is only available:

• Thursday 19 May 2022 8.30am to 5.30pm local time
• Friday 20 May 2022 8.30am to 6pm local time
• Election day Saturday 21 May 2022 8am to 6pm local time

To prepare for telephone voting:

1. View the representation of your ballot papers
2. Consider how you want to mark your voting preferences
3. Have the page open on your device when you call

Call 1800 413 960 to cast your vote once you are prepared and have received your telephone voting registration number. We recommend calling as soon as you are ready as there could be lengthy delays on Saturday.

Voters from Norfolk Island or Cocos (Keeling) Islands should call the AEC on +61 2 6271 2600 and advise the service officer that you are from Norfolk Island or Cocos (Keeling) Islands. Ask that you be put through to the telephone voting service for COVID affected electors.

What happens when you call?

To protect your privacy, you will be asked for your 8-digit registration number and 6-digit PIN rather than your personal details to mark you off the electoral roll. This means your vote remains secret because the AEC voting assistant will not know your name or address.

An AEC voting assistant will record your vote onto hard copy ballot papers. The voting assistant will then place the ballot papers into an envelope and the envelope will be placed into a secure ballot box and then included in the count.

There will be no sausage sizzle but there may be a wait just like in-person voting.