Australia same sex marriage survey draws 78.5 percent response rate

A shop displays a poster supporting a 'Yes' vote in a non-binding poll, conducted by post, to inform the government on whether voters want Australia to become the 25th nation to permit same-sex marriage, in the Sydney suburb of Newtown in Australia, October 4, 2017. REUTERS/David Gray

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Around 12.6 million Australians, or 78.5 percent of eligible voters, have voted so far in a postal ballot on whether same-sex marriage should be legalised, the Bureau of Statistics said on Tuesday.

The poll, which closes later on Tuesday, is non-binding, but the government has said it will put a proposal to parliament to make Australia the 25th nation to permit same-sex marriage, if a majority of voters are in favour of it.

The final results will be announced on Nov. 15.

People participating in a march hold aloft posters supporting a 'Yes' vote in a non-binding poll, conducted by post, to inform the government on whether voters want Australia to become the 25th nation to permit same-sex marriage, in central Sydney, Australia, October 21, 2017. REUTERS/David Gray

(Reporting by Wayne Cole; Editing by Stephen Coates)

A marcher holds aloft a sign while participating in a marriage equality march in central Sydney, Australia, October 21, 2017. Picture taken October 21, 2017. REUTERS/David Gray