Election 2016: Pre-poll voting centres open with record number of people expected to cast ballots early

Updated

Australians can start voting in the federal election, after pre-poll voting centres opened their doors this morning with expectations a record number of people will cast their ballots early this year.

Key points: Voters can visit early voting or mobile polling centres, or apply for postal vote

There are extra 963,000 people enrolled to vote this year compared to 2013

Voters will be asked whether they are entitled to vote early

Early voting booths were due to open from 8.30am around the country.

If recent federal election trends continue, more than 4 million people could have their say before the July 2 election day by visiting an early voting or mobile polling centre, or applying for a postal vote.

Voters are not entitled to an early vote out of convenience or personal preference. This year is the first full federal election where voters wanting to pre-poll will be asked whether they are entitled to do so.

The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) said the question has been added to "provide greater awareness of the rules under the Electoral Act".

Voters are eligible if they:

are outside the electorate where you are enrolled to vote

are more than 8km from a polling place

are travelling

are unable to leave their workplace to vote

are seriously ill, infirm or due to give birth shortly (or caring for someone who is)

are a patient in hospital and can't vote at the hospital

have religious beliefs that prevent them from attending a polling place

are in prison serving a sentence of less than three years or otherwise detained

are a silent elector

have a reasonable fear for their safety.

In 2013, more than 3.7 million people voted early, representing 27 per cent of votes, compared to 2.3 million people — 18 per cent of votes — in 2010. There are an extra 963,000 people enrolled to vote this year compared to the 2013 election.

School holidays could drive up numbers

Labor MP Graham Perrett — who is fighting to retain the marginal Brisbane seat of Moreton — said school holidays, which start for some Queensland schools this Friday, would boost pre-polling numbers.

"Many people will be getting in early to vote so it will be a very busy time," Mr Perrett said.

Liberal MP Dan Tehan, who holds the safe western Victorian seat of Wannon, said political parties had taken note of the pre-polling increase in recent years.

"Obviously as a Government we've got to be ready and we've got to make sure that people understand the choice they're making from today on," Mr Tehan said.

"I think both sides have been wanting to make it clear what they offer to the people.

"People now knowing that it's getting very close to July 2 they'll, I'm sure, be very interested in the messages."

Mr Perrett said political parties had been working to sell their messages to voters early.

"If you're getting basically a third of people voting before election day, you want to make sure your policies are out nice and early so people have the chance to have a good long, hard look," he said.

"It's very, very real when you know that people have already voted."

Topics: federal-elections, government-and-politics, federal-government, australia

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