Polling places to be axed

Fifteen polling places in the O'Connor electorate are in line to be abolished before the next Federal election, with seven of those in the Great Southern.

Polling places in Arthur River, Borden, Katanning East, Kukerin, Pingrup, Popanyinning and Yealering have been earmarked for abolition by the Australian Electoral Commission because of a steady decline in voter attendance at the past three elections.

At the 2013 election, 131 votes were received in Arthur River, compared with 157 in 2010, and there are 132 expected at the next Federal election.

The Australian Electoral Commission has given O'Connor MP Rick Wilson an opportunity to object to the proposal, but he said he would leave the decision up to the AEC.

"Most of the booths are around 100 voters," he said.

"I understand the Australian Electoral Commission is trying to reduce costs … I know they are finding it very difficult to find staff in less populated areas.

"While I know people in these communities, I'm sure, are very keen to see those services continue, I can understand the Australian Electoral Commission wanting to rationalise their costs."

Mr Wilson said if the polling places closed, residents would have the choice to travel to the nearest polling station or send a postal vote.

"People would argue it is inconvenient for them or there is cost involved, but we live in a great democracy and I think that's a pretty small cost for people to pay to have the opportunity to elect their government," he said.

Shire of Dumbleyung and Kukerin president Gordon Davidson said it was very disappointing.

"People in Kukerin and the surrounds are entitled to vote the same as everybody else; if they don't have transport they are now restricted to postal voting alone," he said.

"It's another example of how politicians disregard people living in the bush; it's a disgrace."

Mr Wilson said he would like to see electronic voting considered in the near future.

"I think we have to look at some ability to vote online," he said.

"We do have the technology to do it … it would save a massive amount of money for the Government."

During a Senate Estimates Committee hearing on Tuesday, Electoral Commissioner Tom Rogers said the AEC was looking to close up to 800 polling places around Australia.

Mr Rogers said there was no plan to trial electronic voting, but said financial savings by reducing the number of polling booths would be reinvested into better training, processes, policies and procedures for electoral staff.