Around one hundred local voters and almost as many media waited to see the prime minister vote in her home electorate of Gellibrand -- as opposed to her seat, which is Lalor-- alongside health minister Nicola Roxon, who was accompanied by her daughter.
Julia Gillard arrived late to Seabrook Primary School to cast her vote today.
She had been delayed in the wake of the news that two more Australian soldiers were killed in Afghanistan overnight.
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Most residents casting their votes at the school seemed to favour a Labor government.
Jane, a 37-year-old, said she would be voting Labor
“I've always voted Labor, I'm very excited (about Julia), a female from my side of town… my female friends agree.”
John, who is 65-years-old said:
“I'm going to go for Labor, in the Senate I'm going for the Greens. To keep them all honest.
He said he thought the contest would be close:
“Gillard is not bad… the party will probably get in, but it's going to be very close.”
A number of voters still had not made up their minds as they entered the polling station. Mary, a 25-year-old mother of three said she would be letting her seven-year-old daughter decide.
Ray 45-year-old labourer said he would be voting Labor, with reservations.
“I don't want to vote Labor because of their polices on the internet, giving up our rights for free information, but it's the lesser of two evils, Abbott's not good for anyone.”
Finally, 25-year-old Josh 25 and his Zimbabwean wife Sharon said they had been influenced by Gillard's atheism.
“We're relatively religious and when she said she didn't believe in God that hit a nerve for me,” said Josh.
“I voted for Family First. I've always voted Liberal but not sure I'm with Liberal and Labor policies, where we are at this stage in our lives, Family First was the best for us.”
He did approve of Gillard as prime minister, however.
“She's always stayed true… saying she's from Altona.”
His Zimbabwean wife didn't vote because she is not a citizen, but said she would have voted Labor if she could have.
