Australians urged to 'choose love' as millions vote in Voice referendum
Australians are casting their final votes in a referendum that will determine the country's relationship with its First Nations people.
Voters are being asked to approve an amendment to the constitution to recognize Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and to create a body called the Voice to Parliament.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has called it a "simple proposition," but polls show a likely defeat for Yes supporters.
To pass, the Voice needs a majority Yes vote nationwide and in at least four of six states.
The last referendum to pass was in 1977, and the rise of social media has polarized debate and spread misinformation.
A record 17.6 million people are expected to cast their votes, and the result is expected on Saturday evening local time.
If the referendum passes, it'll be a monumental upset and a shock victory for Albanese.
He has approached the campaign as a personal mission, returning to Uluru, where Indigenous leaders agreed to reach out for constitutional recognition.
Albanese has pitched this vote as an expression of love for fellow Australians and for the country itself.
Yes campaigners have urged people to "choose love over spin" and emphasized the need to win "hearts and minds."
Indigenous leader Noel Pearson said the largest motivation for voting Yes was the "love of country."
However, a leading No campaigner accused the Yes campaign of promoting empty slogans and called for real solutions and accountability.
The Voice was conceived to get better outcomes for the most disadvantaged Indigenous Australians.
Of the 19 targets aimed to "Close the Gap" between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians, some statistics are worsening.
If the referendum fails, Albanese has stated that he will respect the democratic vote of the nation and won't legislate a Voice to Parliament.
As millions of Australians cast their votes, the outcome of the Voice referendum will shape the future of the country's relationship with its First Nations people.
Will Australians choose love and recognize the voices of Indigenous Australians?
The result will soon be revealed.
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