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Travelling interstate on election day? Here's what you need to know

Australians who are outside the state or territory where they are enrolled on election day are being encouraged to vote early.

Cars on a motorway.

Interstate voters can vote ahead of 3 May, or find a specific interstate voting centre on the day. Source: Getty / Roz Bannan

With the federal election almost upon us, some Australians may be interstate on polling day and wondering how to cast their ballot.

There are two options for those outside the state or territory where they are enrolled on Saturday 3 May: vote early or find an interstate voting centre on the day.

The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) is encouraging those Australians to vote ahead.

Early voting

Hundreds of early voting centres have opened across the country since 21 April. As of Wednesday, the AEC said more than four million people have already cast their vote in person.

AEC commissioner Jeff Pope said it will be swifter and easier for interstate travellers to vote early, over voting on the day.
"Travelling interstate is a valid reason to cast a pre-poll vote and it is easier to accommodate during the early voting period as well," Pope said on Wednesday.

"While the early voting period has been busy so far with more than four million people already casting their vote in-person, most venues are able to get people in and out quickly.

"Early voting centres are open today, tomorrow and on Friday — all 570 of them across the country can cater to any of the 150 electoral divisions."

Those who are interstate during the early voting period can vote at any early voting centre across the country.

Voting on election day

For those who are interstate on election day and haven't yet voted, Pope said they'll have to find a specific interstate voting centre to visit.

"It's still available on the day, but just not quite as swift."

The AEC says interstate voting locations can be found using its where to vote tool.


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    Travelling interstate on election day? Here's what you need to know | SBS News