Election 2010: Early voting begins in the 2010 federal election

02 August 2010

Early voting in the 2010 federal election has commenced for voters unable to vote on election day, Saturday 21 August, the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) announced today.

Electoral Commissioner, Ed Killesteyn said eligible voters are now able to cast an early vote in person at any of the early voting centres operating around Australia, or by applying for a postal vote.

Electors are eligible for an early vote if on election day they will be outside their 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.

Early voting in person (also known as a pre-poll vote) will be available weekdays and, for some locations, weekends, until Friday 20 August. Voters can find the location and individual operating hours of the nearest early voting centre using the AEC website or by calling the AEC on 13 23 26.

"Visiting an early voting centre is the easiest way to cast your early vote, but if any voter is unable to get to an early voting centre, or a polling place on election day, they should apply immediately for a postal vote," Mr Killesteyn said.

"Postal vote application forms are available on the AEC website, can be picked up at any AEC office or Australia Post outlet, or people can get one sent to them by calling 13 23 26," he said.

"Once the AEC processes the completed application form, the ballot papers are sent to the voter. Voters registered as a General Postal Voter do not need to apply, as their ballot papers will be automatically sent to them.

"It is important that voters apply early for a postal vote, to ensure there is time to deliver the ballot papers and for voters to return them," he said. Further information is available about casting an early vote, visit www.aec.gov.au or call the AEC on 13 23 26.

Media contact

State	AEC contact	Contact details
NATIONAL	Phil Diak	Phone: (02) 6271 4415 Mobile: 0413 452 539
NSW	Keith Eaton	Ph. (02) 9375 6312 (w) Mob. 0412 269 720
VIC	Celeste van Wessem	Ph. (03) 9285 7113 (w) Mob. 0434 326 328
QLD	Caroline D'Allura	Ph. (07) 3834 3428 (w) Mob. 0400 270 660
WA	Brendon Barlow	Ph. 08 6363 8026 (w) Mob. 0413 271 869
SA	Paul Langtry	Ph. (08) 8237 6582 (w) Mob. 0413 452 532
TAS	Sandra Riordan	Ph. (03) 6235 0501 (w) Mob. 0438 425 730
NT	Robert Pugsley	Ph. (08) 8982 8001 (w) Mob. 0418 253 357
ACT	Bernadette O'Meara	Ph. (02) 6271 4724 (w) Mob. 0413 452 530