This piece is written by Alex Greenwich, the co-chair of Australian Marriage Equality and director of the Yes campaign. 

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Supporters of marriage equality could be forgiven for feeling pretty frustrated at the moment. While we are out door-knocking and ringing our rellos to vote Yes, we are seeing distractions and conflict dominate the airways and our newsfeeds.

People in same-sex relationships feel it even more strongly. We’re seeing our relationships judged and voted on, while those saying no are talking about anything other than marriage equality.

This week however, we’ve received some good news.

Our strategy to get out the vote is working. The numbers say we’re outperforming the No case three-to-one so far and I hope this is a lift to the morale of our volunteers and supporters. We are seeing more and more Australians join us in voting Yes, and this is preparing us to finally get this done.

Support for marriage equality has been reflected in Essential polling. It shows 72% of the third of people who have already voted have taken the opportunity to vote Yes.

We Could Still Lose This

But, we can’t be complacent,  the final outcome will be decided by the two-thirds of voters who are yet to post back their survey forms. This means if you haven’t yet posted your survey you better hurry up, and if you’ve already been down to the post box, you need to ensure everyone you know is joining you in putting that important enveloped Yes vote in the funny red box down the street.

Australians have had a long conversation about marriage equality and a clear majority support us. Now it’s time to get this across the finish line. The movement has inspired people from across Australia to see this finally happen.

Frances Abbott talks about why she's voting YES: for fairness, for love, for family. Why are you voting YES? #VoteYes #MarriageEquality pic.twitter.com/Fq1pDxsRVE

— AU Marriage Equality (@AMEquality) September 26, 2017

Over the last few weeks more people have been active and engaged on the issue than ever before. Millions are likely to have already voted, hundreds of thousands of doors have been knocked, even more phone calls have been made, and tens of thousands of people from across the country have signed up to volunteer. All of these people are sharing the chance to shape our nation as a fairer and more equal place for everybody.

The importance of this vote is clearly felt. People understand that within these envelopes are the hopes and dreams of their fellow Australians to marry the person they love in the country they love.

From our time spent talking to voters there are three clear trends as to why people are ticking Yes. Many people are voting for someone they know, whether it be gay or lesbian friends, family members or colleagues. Many are voting for our national values of fairness and equality. Lots of people are also voting for the happiness and ocean of joy that achieving this reform will bring.

Let’s Do It For Bonn And Peter

For so many people, this vote is so very personal. At the beginning of the year, Sydney man, Peter De Waal lost his partner of 50 years, Bonn, to cancer. One of Bonn’s dying wishes had been to get married to the love of his life before he passed. Sadly, due the games being played in Canberra, this did not happen. Peter and Bonn were denied this opportunity. Now, we must all make sure this doesn’t happen to anyone else.

The importance of marriage to family has been beautifully expressed by Frances Abbott. She sees her aunt Christine and Christine’s fiancée, Virginia, as part of the family and wants them treated the same as everyone else. Frances provides a deeply touching reminder that love for family members transcends politics.

Some of us have supported marriage equality for a very long time. Others perhaps thought about it for the first time when they received the survey form in the mail. Regardless of when or why people have reflected on the issue, it’s now time to say I do to a fair go for all.

Let’s make sure we get this done. Seize this unique opportunity to be part of this once in a generation moment for our country. Vote YES and get everyone you know to do the same.