All polling locations will be closed for Anzac Day. Photo: AEC.
With just days left until the federal election, early voting has opened for those of us who are unable to attend a polling place on 3 May.
For voters who have registered but may be travelling, working, attending an event, or are just unable to get to a polling place, early polling locations will be available in all federal seats.
The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) says if people can vote on election day, then that is what they need to do, but that recent trends indicate that about half of all voters will cast their vote during the early voting period through a combination of in-person early votes, mobile, and postal voting.
The AEC also says that not all early polling locations are open (from 22 April), and that some will be progressively opened as election day nears. It also says all polling locations will be closed this Friday 25 April for Anzac Day, and that some will also be closed on Saturday 26 April.
If you are voting early but can be flexible, the AEC says queues will likely be longer on the weekend, especially as not all polling places will be as fully staffed as they will be on 3 May. It therefore recommends voters carefully plan when and where they will vote to avoid delays.
Remote polling services also commenced on 22 April, with 70 mobile AEC teams using light aircraft, 4WDs, helicopters and occasionally boats to set up temporary voting sites in some regional and remote areas, particularly in the NT, WA, and Queensland.
The AEC says this election will see the largest ever number of remote options provided at a federal election, with nearly 500 locations being visited by teams that are travelling a combined total of around 200,000 km.
It says it is a uniquely Australian election service offering as part of the broader effort to make voting as accessible as possible, and that visits are being advertised in advance in some newspapers, through local radio, community noticeboards, community leaders and other mediums.
AEC representatives will also visit residential aged care, hospitals, mental health care, and other residential facilities and establishments to help people cast their vote.
Applications for postal voting have been open for some time. To date more than 1.8 million postal vote applications have been made and postal vote packs have been dispatched to voters in Australia and overseas. Applications for postal voting close on Wednesday 30 April.
For voters who are travelling overseas, more than 111 embassies, consulates, and high commissions around the world will have polling locations available, with the AEC asking travellers to check the website of their nearest embassy, consulate, or high commission for information about opening times and any other requirements.
Australian Electoral Commissioner Jeff Pope said 22 April marked the start of the voting period for the federal election.
“I encourage all voters to consider their circumstances and plan their vote,” he said.
“The bulk of our work still happens on election day, but for a variety of reasons it’s clear from past elections that more Australians are needing to access early voting options. Just over half of all voters cast an early vote, including a postal vote in 2022, and we expect that number to be similar this year.
“No matter whether you’re in remote Australia or on the other side of the world, the AEC is pulling out all the stops to reach you,” he added.
“Australian elections are unique and special in many ways – including the variety of voting options provided. In many democracies around the world people have just a single location and single day to cast their vote.”
A complete list of early polling locations can be found by entering your postcode or suburb here.
