Australians urged to 'choose love' as millions vote in Voice referendum<br />Australians are casting their final votes in a referendum that will determine the country's relationship with its First Nations people.<br />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.<br />Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has called it a "simple proposition," but polls show a likely defeat for Yes supporters.<br />To pass, the Voice needs a majority Yes vote nationwide and in at least four of six states.<br />The last referendum to pass was in 1977, and the rise of social media has polarized debate and spread misinformation.<br />A record 17.6 million people are expected to cast their votes, and the result is expected on Saturday evening local time.<br />If the referendum passes, it'll be a monumental upset and a shock victory for Albanese.<br />He has approached the campaign as a personal mission, returning to Uluru, where Indigenous leaders agreed to reach out for constitutional recognition.<br />Albanese has pitched this vote as an expression of love for fellow Australians and for the country itself.<br />Yes campaigners have urged people to "choose love over spin" and emphasized the need to win "hearts and minds."<br />Indigenous leader Noel Pearson said the largest motivation for voting Yes was the "love of country."<br />However, a leading No campaigner accused the Yes campaign of promoting empty slogans and called for real solutions and accountability.<br />The Voice was conceived to get better outcomes for the most disadvantaged Indigenous Australians.<br />Of the 19 targets aimed to "Close the Gap" between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians, some statistics are worsening.<br />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.<br />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.<br />Will Australians choose love and recognize the voices of Indigenous Australians?<br />The result will soon be revealed.<br />#latestnews #news #cnn
