As the federal election day on May 3 approaches, many Australians have the opportunity to vote early, either through postal voting or at early voting centres. Early voting is set to commence on April 22, 2025, following Easter, adhering to Australian law, which stipulates that pre-polling cannot begin more than 12 days before the election date.
With thousands of early voting centres opening after Easter, it’s crucial for voters to know how and where they can cast their votes without any hassle. For those seeking a local early voting centre, an interactive tool is available that allows voters to locate the closest options based on their postcode. For instance, entering Sydney’s postcode 2000 reveals 12 nearby early polling locations.
Eligible voters for early voting include those who:
– Will be travelling
– Are outside their enrolled electorate
– Live more than 8km from a polling centre
– Cannot vote due to work commitments
– Are seriously ill or hospitalised
– Are about to give birth
– Have religious obligations that prevent them from voting on May 3
– Are currently incarcerated
– Have safety concerns
– Are silent electors whose addresses are not on the electoral roll
The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) provides detailed guidance for early voters on its website, where users can input their postcode to find local centres. Most voting locations will operate from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm, functioning like standard polling booths.
For individuals opting for postal votes, they can complete their voting pack and return it as soon as they receive it, although postal voters are also permitted to vote on May 3. Australians who are blind or have low vision can participate in early voting via the AEC’s telephone voting service, which will also commence on April 22, provided they meet specific eligibility criteria. Interestingly, even Australians stationed in Antarctica utilise this method to vote.
With early voting options available, it’s important that all eligible voters take the steps necessary to ensure their voices are heard come election day.