A polite conversation turned south pretty quickly for a Greens volunteer at the Nowra polling booth this week.
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The voter started by hurling abuse at the volunteer and ended the conversation by spitting on him.
"I was just doing my usual spiel when he uttered a heap of expletives and spat in my direction, down my arm, down my clothes," Nowra's Brad Gully said.
"I figure it's because I'm a part of the Greens."
The seasoned political activist handed out pamphlets for the Labor Party before he changed allegiances.
Brad said the green shirt seemed to incite a whole new level of hostility.
"When I was volunteering for Labor I never really got any sort of insults," he said.
"Since being with the Greens, people see us as being a bit more radical than the major parties, and they're not scared to voice that."
Fellow volunteers of all affiliations at the polling booth have made a point of checking in with Brad since the altercation.
"I've been asked continuously if I'm okay," he said.
"It's a wonderful family, it doesn't matter what colour your t-shirt is, we all look after each other."
Volunteers at the booth conceded the spitting incident was the worst behaviour they've seen in Nowra this election.
"Nine out of 10 people are respectful, but you do get the odd one that goes past and tells us where to go," Brad said.
"People die around the globe to have the right to vote. Take your chance to have your say. And just remember we are volunteers, this is our time we're giving up to help people make the right decisions for the country."
The spitting incident was reported to police, who have been investigating it.
Meanwhile, Shoalhaven Mayor Amanda Findley has urged those who plan on voting in upcoming days to be kind and courteous.
"If you can't say anything nice or neutral to polling booth volunteers, please just keep your mouth closed," Mayor Findley said via Facebook.
"People who feel strongly about democracy don't deserve abuse.
"Be kind, people, not hateful."
She referenced a post from another volunteer who experienced foul language at a polling booth recently.