Millions of Australians will be casting their ballots in the lead-up to the 3 May federal election, but an increasing number are opting to vote early, with hundreds of polling places now open.
The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) oversees the voting process, which it describes as the nation's largest peacetime logistical event.
More than 18 million people have registered to vote, and 60 million ballot papers are being printed.
The AEC is anticipating that around half of eligible voters will cast their vote during the early voting period — through a combination of in-person early votes, mobile voting in remote areas, and postal voting.
Data released by the AEC shows more than 5.6 million Australians pre-polled in the 2022 federal election, and almost 1.8 million more returned a postal vote.
Who is eligible to vote early?
The AEC lists several eligibility criteria for voting early, including if you:
- are outside the electorate where you are enrolled to vote
- are more than 8km from a polling place
- are travelling
- are unable to leave your workplace to vote
- are seriously ill, infirm or due to give birth shortly
- have religious beliefs that prevent you from attending a polling place
On arrival, the voting process is the same as on election day and will be facilitated by AEC staff.
You will be asked for your full name, residential address, and to confirm you have not already voted in this election.
Where can you vote?
There will be hundreds of polling centres open on 3 May for election day itself, and many will be operating in the lead-up.
The AEC website has a list of early voting centres along with operating hours and accessibility ratings for each venue.
If you are interstate, you can still vote early at any early voting centre in the country.
What about postal voting?
If you are thinking of voting by post, you are required to apply to the AEC by 6pm on Wednesday, 30 April.
Postal voters can send in their votes anytime ahead of the election or on the day itself.
You must return your ballot papers to the AEC no later than 13 days after the election, or your vote will not be included in the count.
There are also options for mobile polling and voting over the telephone, and if you are overseas, you are required to provide an address to the AEC.
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