Strong demand for early voting in the ACT election

MEDIA RELEASE

11 October 2024

Strong demand for early voting in the ACT election

‘Early voting for the 2024 ACT Legislative Assembly election began on Tuesday 8 October 2024 and demand has been strong,’ the ACT Electoral Commissioner Damian Cantwell AM CSC said today.

‘The first day saw 13,319 ACT electors vote across 11 Early Voting Centres, a 65% increase on 2020 figures,’ Mr Cantwell continued.

Over the first three days, more than 35,000 Canberrans have already cast a vote at an Early Voting Centre, with 94% voting electronically.

‘We are pleased to see such a high participation in early voting,’ Mr Cantwell said. ‘Legislative changes now allow all ACT electors to vote at their convenience over a two-week period.’

Mr Cantwell noted that the voting centres are busiest in the morning when opening at 10:30 am during the week. ‘Voter numbers remain steady throughout the middle part of the day, with voting centres becoming quieter from around 2 pm until they close at 6:30 pm,’ he said.

‘Overall early voting numbers are expected to rise, with voting centres becoming busier each day leading up to the final day on 19 October 2024,’ Mr Cantwell said. ‘I would encourage voters to plan accordingly, noting that you don’t have to cast your vote in your electorate but in any convenient voting centre,’ he added.

Opening times for Early Voting Centres:

• Tuesday 8 October – Friday 11 October 2024: 10.30 am - 6.30 pm
• Saturday 12 October 2024: 9 am – 5 pm
• Monday 14 October - Thursday 17 October 2024: 10.30 am - 6.30 pm
• Friday 18 October 2024: 9 am – 8 pm
• Saturday 19 October 2024: 8 am – 6 pm

Demand for postal voting is also strong. 22,902 postal votes have been issued as of Thursday 10 October 2024.

To find your nearest early voting centre, go to www.elections.act.gov.au/for-voters/how-and-where-to-vote/where-to-vote-early-voting or refer to the Early Voting Guide distributed to all ACT households.

For figures and statistics on early voting turnout to date, please refer below.

Votes cast each day

% of votes cast at early voting centres - previous ACT elections

¹ Does not include postal voting.

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Media contact:

Viviana.torres@act.gov.au

(02) 620 73358 | 0468 859 978