Arthur Gorrie
As an increasingly intense federal election campaign grinds on, there is good news for at least some of those wishing they could vote now and get it over with.
From Monday, you can.
Early voting comes with fairly broad eligibility rules, mostly for people who cannot be sure of their availability to vote in person on polling day, Saturday 21 May.
Early voting centres, though not numerous, will be open long hours – 8am to 8pm from Monday 9 May to Friday 13 May, 9am to 4pm on Saturday 14 May, 8am to 8pm Monday 16 May to Thursday 19 May and 8am to 6pm on Friday, 20 May, election eve.
Early voting centres which may be helpful to Noosa people are at Noosa Baptist Church Hall, 1 Lake Weyba Dr, Noosaville and Coolum-Peregian RSL sub branch, 1906 David Low Way which both have assisted wheelchair access.
The Australian Electoral Commission says many more polling booths will be available on polling day across Noosa region.
Postal voting is also available for people unable to vote in person on polling day, with applications closing on 18 May.
AEC mobile polling teams visit many voters who are not able to get to a polling place, including visits to some residential care facilities.
Telephone voting is also available to the vision impaired or in special circumstances, via the AEC’s telephone voting service.
