TASMANIANS will vote today in an election that will determine the state’s future for years to come.

But today the Mercury isn’t allowed to write a word about it.

Under section 198 of the state’s Electoral Act, it is an offence for a newspaper to publish on polling day “a matter or comment relating to a candidate or a question arising from, or an issue of, the election campaign”.

The penalty for breaching the Act is three months in jail, a $13,000 fine, or both.

So here are pictures of cute puppies and some election day trivia the law does allows us to report.

GALLERY: Awww, they're adorable

Send us your cute puppy pics to readerspix@dbl.newsltd.com.au

• There will be 305 polling places open from 8am to 6pm today from Reekara Community Complex on King Island to Southport Fire Station in the far south.

• The most are 90 in Lyons and the fewest in Denison with 45 — 90 polling places will be in schools.

• If you’re looking to avoid a queue, Summerhill Community Centre was the state’s busiest polling place last state election and the Mawbanna Memorial Hall with only 56 voters the quietest.

• Any voter can vote at any polling place in Tasmania, regardless of their electorate.

• More than 1200 express votes have been emailed to 87 countries and almost 500 electors in remote parts of Australia. There will be 83 votes lodged in the US, 68 in the UK, 62 in New Zealand, two in Mongolia and one each in Tanzania and Tajikistan.

• The counting of the votes starts at 6pm and early figures are expected to be available on the Tasmanian Electoral Commission website from 6.30pm with final election night figures posted by 9pm.

• The tally room will be located at the Wrest Point Convention Centre and is open to the public from 6pm.