Early voting for the Federal Election, on Saturday May the 21st, will begin next Monday with residents across Logan and the Scenic Rim urged to plan before casting their ballot.
More than 500 early voting centres will be operating across the nation with some opening for extended hours.
The Australian Electoral Commission is today urging voters to plan their vote with Electoral Commissioner Tom Rogers outlining the range of COVID-19 safety measures in place.
“Australian elections are in-person events – once every three years the country comes together in a transparent and secure environment to have their say.”
“If you can vote on election day then that’s what you should do. However, if your circumstances might prevent you from doing that then you need to think about the early voting options available, and vote according to your circumstances.”
“Australians have been living with COVID for more than two years now. For most people you’re visiting the shops regularly, attending events or taking public transport – voting centres will have more protections in place than most areas of society.”
Opening days and hours on election day, polling places will once again be open from 8am to 6pm. To allow people to assess and cater to their circumstances in the COVID environment, a number of early voting centres will be offering extended hours.
Voting centre locations, their opening days and hours are available on the AEC website at aec.gov.au.
COVID safety measures Dedicated AEC hygiene officers will be regularly sanitising surfaces and pencils at all AEC early voting centres.
Social distancing will be in force with equipment spaced out, markers and other signage providing guidance and queue controlling staff offering support.
AEC staff will be wearing masks and other personal protective equipment as required.
Voters do not need to be vaccinated to attend a voting centre and campaign activities (including handing out how-to-vote cards) can occur, in line with local health directions and electoral laws.
For further information about COVID-19 safety measures, visit aec.gov.au/covid-safety.
