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Federal election day on May 3 is creeping closer but many Australian voters have the option to head to the polls early, either via postal vote or at an early voting centre. Here’s where to find them.
Early voting starts today.
It’s Australian law that pre-polling doesn’t begin more than 12 days before election day.
Thousands of early voting centres will be open after Easter, so here’s how and where to cast your vote so you don’t miss out.
The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) website has a handy guide for those who want to vote before election day.
You are eligible to vote early if you tick any of the following boxes:
- You will be travelling
- Are outside the electorate you are enrolled to vote
- Are located more than eight kilometres from a polling centre
- Are working and can’t leave to vote
- Are seriously ill or in hospital
- Are about to give birth
- Have religious reasons you can’t vote on May 3
- Are in prison
- Are afraid for your safety
- Are a silent elector (meaning your address can’t be included on the electoral role)
On the AEC website, you need to put in your postcode and it will bring up a list of early voting centres near your electorate.
Most voting centres are open between 8.30am and 5.30pm and operate like normal voting booths.
What if I need a postal vote?
Postal voters need to apply before 6pm on April 30. You can do that via this link.
If you are voting this way, you can fill out the pack and send it on as soon as you receive it in the mail. Postal voters are also allowed to vote on May 3.
Telephone voting
Australian voters who are blind or have low vision can vote early using the AEC’s telephone voting service.
This will be in operation from April 22.
You need to fulfil strict eligibility criteria to access this service.
Fun fact: Australians stationed in Antarctica vote this way.
Read the full article here
