Indigenous AEC enrolment jumps in WA but community opinions about the Voice are mixed

New figures reveal a significant jump in the number of Indigenous people enrolling to vote in Western Australia, but leaders in the state's north say communities need more information about the Voice to Parliament.

The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) has released data showing 86.9 per cent of Indigenous people in WA are enrolled to vote, which is up from 74.1 per cent in the previous six months.

The AEC estimates 97.5 per cent of Australians in total are enrolled to vote.

WA still has the lowest enrolment figures for Indigenous people, just behind the North Territory, which is sitting at 87 per cent.

Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation chairperson Raylene Button lives in WA's Pilbara region and told ABC Perth Mornings that when it came to voting in the referendum, a lot of people were still undecided.

"There has been a bit of confusion going within the community and also there has been a misinterpretation of information being passed within the community," she said.

"People are not getting the honest truth about what the referendum is and the Voice to Parliament.

Ms Button said the referendum had become a hot topic in her community, especially on social media.

"We're seeing a lot of stuff being put up, and the young ones are following it a lot more," she said.

"They're having a lot of talks within the community and wanting to just know exactly what is going on, what are we looking at, what are we wanting to vote and what we're hoping to achieve?"

A lack of information

Gayle Tawha lives in Nullagine, 200 kilometres north of Newman, and spends a lot of time in the Irrungadji community where she says most people do not understand what the referendum is about.

"I think that's because they aren't able to navigate the information highways that you and I can," she said.

"We've only just had free Wi-Fi available to this mob for about the last six months.

"But their Wi-Fi use is mainly for social media, keeping in touch with family, a little bit of online banking.

"It's not to inform ourselves, like you and I do to inform ourselves about what's going on in the world."

The AEC recently published information about the official Yes and No cases, which would be sent to all Australian households before the referendum.

Ms Tawha said it took time for information to trickle through to the community.

"It would have been amazing if somebody in language was able to explain to them what the referendum is about and what the Voice is about," she said.

"When Labor won the election last year, I came down to the community and I said to them, 'You've got a new prime minister. There is a new government', and they said, 'Really? Is that a good one?'."

Communities are learning

Martu elder Bruce Booth lives in the western desert and says lots of people are talking about the referendum, but do not understand how it will work.

"We need to take the word back to the remote community to understand what it means," he said.

"People in the parliament need to come out to the remote communities.

Martu elder Clarrie Robinson is from the small Aboriginal community of Warralong, 179 kilometres from Port Hedland. 

While many are yet to make up their mind, Mr Robinson is optimistic about the Voice.

"I hope this Voice will come work with us, as Aboriginal people.

"You know, living in same world, country and working together is the most important thing."

If you're unable to load the form, you can access it here.