Wimmera residents have taken advantage of the early voting on offer, twelve days out from the Federal Election on Saturday, May 18.
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More than 1000 people cast their votes at the polling place at 72-74 Firebrace Street in Horsham on Monday, the first day it opened.
Liberal candidate Serge Petrovich and member for Lowan Emma Kealy were among those handing out how to vote cards to residents heading inside.
For Natimuk's Sandra Saint, it was a matter of convenience.
"I've got a medical appointment on the day of voting, and I can't make it back to Natimuk to vote," she said. "I'm quite happy not to wait."
Karl Baker, also from Natimuk voted early having had a holiday on the Great Ocean Road booked during election weekend many months in advance.
"It's been very helpful to come down today," Mr Baker said. "I would have preferred to have waited until the day, but I don't want to risk the chance of being fined."
Mr Baker said he was comfortable exercising his democratic right with two weeks of the election campaign still to go. "I was always going to vote independent," he said.
While experts expect this election's result to be much closer in Mallee, another Horsham woman who did not wish to be identified said she didn't think her vote was any more important now than in previous years.
"I think all elections are very important," she said. "It was exciting: The booths were well-manned and it was the busiest place in town."
The officer in charge of the Horsham voting site, Iain Maclean, said the first day had kept staff very busy.
Horsham Rural City Council said early voting would be available until Friday May 17 between 8.30am and 5.30pm including Saturday May 11 from 9am to 4pm.
Early voting opened a week later in Horsham than some other parts of Australia.
An Australian Electoral Commission spokeswoman said the organisation undertook a range of analysis between elections in order to determine the most appropriate voter service model.
She said individuals could vote early either in person or by post if on election day if they:
- are outside the electorate where you are enrolled to vote
- are more than eight kilometres 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 fears for their safety
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Alexander Darling
Alexander has been a member of the Wimmera Mail-Times' editorial team since December 2018, covering politics, business and property among other rounds. He is a passionate St.Kilda and rock and roll fan, and has previously worked as a radio reporter in Port Macquarie and Gosford, NSW.
Alexander has been a member of the Wimmera Mail-Times' editorial team since December 2018, covering politics, business and property among other rounds. He is a passionate St.Kilda and rock and roll fan, and has previously worked as a radio reporter in Port Macquarie and Gosford, NSW.
