Over 19,000 votes already issued for ACT Election

Published 30 Sep 2016

Voting in the 15 October ACT Legislative Assembly election is in full swing with over 19,000 votes already issued, the ACT Electoral Commissioner, Phil Green, said today.

Voters who are unable to get to polling places on 15 October have begun voting at the six pre-poll voting centres which opened on Tuesday. So far over 7,100 pre-poll votes have been cast, including over 5,700 electronic votes. Over 12,000 postal ballot papers have also been mailed to electors this week, with more than 860 being posted overseas.  At the same point at the 2012 election, approximately 13,000 pre-poll and postal votes had been issued.  

“Pre-poll voting is an easy alternative to postal voting for those who may be away from Canberra on polling day, or who for some other reason cannot attend a polling place on that day,” Mr Green said.

“Many Canberrans know already that they will not be here on 15 October.  These people can vote any weekday between now and polling day, except on the 3 October public holiday. They can also pre-poll vote on Saturday 8 October from 9.00am – 5.00pm. The six pre-poll voting centres are set up at convenient locations near Canberra’s major centres.” Mr Green said.

“Next week the ACT Electoral Commission will be delivering an Election Guide to all households which includes the addresses of the pre-poll voting centres and polling places, as well as details on how to vote and how the counting system works. Sample ballot papers and a list of the 141 candidates standing for election are available on the Elections ACT website,” Mr Green said.

The pre-poll voting centres are at:

  • Belconnen: Belconnen Community Centre, Swanson Court
  • Canberra City: Pilgrim House, 69 Northbourne Avenue
  • Canberra City: Eclipse House, 197 London Circuit
  • Gungahlin: Gungahlin Library, Conference Room 1, Access via Hibberson Street
  • Tuggeranong: Salvation Army Hall, Cnr Anketell St and Reed St North
  • Woden: Callam Offices, 58 Easty Street

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