sydney australia bureau statistics say tuesday 9.2 million people 57.5 percent eligible voters cast vote ballot whether same-sex marriage legalize australians begin vote last month non-binding poll conduct post inform government whether voters want australia become 25th nation permit same-sex marriage result poll declare nov. 15. first official update suggest high turnout likely despite ballot non-compulsory turnout level go long way determine whether australian prime minister malcolm turnbull finally resolve topic dog tenure leader threaten split centre-right government along ideological ground low turnout would see issue continue dominate political discourse whatever result underpin question legitimacy country use compulsory vote first official update progress same-sex marriage survey come day sky news reachtel poll show yes vote track comprehensive victory 64 percent survey send back ballot vote yes poll show six percent plan support same-sex marriage widespread victory may little however heal divide nation 24 million people split along religious generational line time threaten turn nasty prompt parliament strengthen laws prevent hate-speech half eligible australians far vote same-sex marriage ballot