By JONATHON HOWARD
EARLY voting in this year’s federal election has opened for Maranoa voters unable to vote on election day, Saturday 7 September, the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) announced this week.
Electoral Commissioner Ed Killesteyn said eligible voters could cast an early vote from Tuesday in person at any of the early voting centres operating around Australia, or by applying for a postal vote.
“You are eligible for an early vote if on election day you’ll be outside your electorate; more than 8km from a polling place; approaching childbirth; seriously ill or caring for someone who is; or unable to attend a polling place due to religious beliefs, fear for personal safety, disability or work commitments,” he said.
Early voting in person (also known as a pre-poll vote) will be available weekdays until Friday, 6 September, and in some locations on some Saturdays.
“Visiting an early voting centre is the easiest way to cast your early vote, but if you’re unable to get to a centre or to a polling place on election day, you can apply immediately for a postal vote,” Mr Killesteyn said.
“Postal vote applications can be completed and submitted online to the AEC. If you are unable to go online, hardcopy forms are available from any AEC office or Australia Post outlet.
“Once the AEC processes your completed postal vote application, your ballot papers will be sent to you. If you are registered as a general postal voter you do not need to complete an application form as your ballot papers will be automatically sent to you.
“It is important that you apply early for a postal vote to ensure there is ample time to deliver the ballot papers and for you to complete them by election day,” Mr Killesteyn said.
BREAK OUT
STANTHORPE early voting centre
Stanthorpe Court House
51 Marsh St (assisted access)
TEXAS early voting centre
Texas QGAP Office
32 Cadell St (assisted access)
WARWICK early voting centre
St Marys Tennis and Squash Centre
84a Guy Street
