Early voting opens ahead of Australian federal election on Saturday May 3

Early voting centres across Australia have opened ahead of the federal election on Saturday, May 3.

The Easter and Anzac public holidays have reduced the number days voters can head to the polls early, although ballots can still be lodged until Friday, May 2.

“Given past trends in early voting, the AEC anticipates approximately half of all voters will cast their vote during the early voting period,” the Australian Electoral Commission said.

This is expected to be made through a combination of in-person early votes, mobile voting, and postal voting.

Early voting booths are normally open for two weeks before the election, however given the time of year will temporarily close on Friday, March 25, for Anzac Day, and were also closed on Easter Monday.

Early voting centres will open progressively across the country, with some only opening next week in the lead-up to the election.

Not all early voting centres may be open on Saturday, April 26.

The AEC has warned voters there may be long lines at voting centres even prior to election day.

“With national public holidays and school holidays in some states impacting the early voting period, it is even more important for people to plan when and where they will vote,” the AEC said.

“There is potential for people to rush in early on day one of the voting period or an influx on Saturday, April 26 — the Saturday in between the two weeks of early voting — or significant volumes on the final day of early voting.

“The AEC has forecast potential traffic at our venues, will monitor volumes and is planning as much as possible to minimise queues where it is possible. Please carefully plan.”

Voters can look up early voting centres near them on the AEC website, complete with opening dates and times.

Applications for postal voting have been open for some time, and approximately 1.8 million Australians have applied.

“While applications for postal voting do not close until Wednesday next week, anyone who cannot make it to a polling place or early voting centre should apply for a postal vote as soon as possible,” the AEC said.

It urged voters to be mindful of Australia Post delivery timeframes.

Overseas voting has also commenced at more than 100 embassies, consulates, and high commissions around the world.

A full list of overseas voting centres is available on the AEC’s website.

Voters can also post their voting packs to these locations, or drop them off in-person. Postal votes will then be returned to Australia via diplomatic mail.

“Voting is not compulsory for Australians who are overseas but we encourage all enrolled Australians overseas to vote if you can,” the AEC said.

Eligibility for early voting

While early voting is open, Australian Electoral Commissioner Jeff Pope said people should vote on May 3 if they can.

“If you can vote on election day Saturday, May 3, then that is what you need to do,” Pope said.

“I encourage all voters to consider their circumstances and plan their vote.

“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.”

Voters are eligible for early polling in person or by post if they:

• are outside the electorate where they are enrolled to vote
• are more than 8km from a polling place
• are travelling
• are unable to leave their workplace to vote
• are seriously ill, infirm or due to give birth shortly (or caring for someone who is)
• are a person with disability (or caring for someone who is)
• are a patient in hospital and can’t vote at the hospital
• have religious beliefs that prevent them from attending a polling place
• are in prison serving a sentence of less than three years or otherwise detained
• are a silent elector
• have a reasonable fear for their safety or wellbeing

Remote voter services

Remote voter services are also in action, with 70 mobile AEC teams using light aircraft, 4WDs, helicopters and occasionally boats to set up temporary voting sites in some of Australia’s most remote areas.

“The service offering in remote communities is the largest ever provided at a federal election with nearly 500 different remote locations being visited by teams that are travelling a combined total of around 200,000km.

“It is a uniquely Australian election service offering as part of the broader effort to make voting as accessible as possible to all Australians.

“Visits are being advertised in advance in some newspapers, through local radio, community noticeboards, community leaders and other mediums.”

The AEC will also visit residential aged care, hospitals, mental health care, and other residential facilities and establishments to help people cast their vote.

A full list of remote voting locations is also available on the AEC website.

“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,” Pope said.

“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.”