ACT Electoral Commissioner Damian Cantwell AM has this morning thanked all election staff and supporting agencies and vendors for their significant contribution to the smooth operation of delivering democracy to ACT residents through the voting period.

“Voters were able to attend our polling premises throughout the three-week voting period and experience a quick, smooth and COVID safe voting experience, and that is a testament to the commitment and professionalism of our staff and enabling organisations,” Mr Cantwell said.

“All staff are to be commended for their efforts but particularly the early voting teams for delivering democracy to ACT residents throughout a long voting period that included extended hours on Fridays, weekends, a public holiday and continuous delivery of friendly and helpful service.”

The count last night included:

• All electronic votes cast at early voting centres
  • First preferences and a preliminary distribution of preferences
• All electronic votes cast on Saturday
  • First preferences and a preliminary distribution of preferences
• All first preferences from paper votes cast on Saturday

Further counting activities

Some first preference counts will occur today. This will include paper ballots cast at early voting centres and may also include some postal votes. First preference counts will continue throughout the following days and include other vote varieties such as declaration votes.

The scanning of paper ballots will commence on Monday. Each evening following the conclusion of scanning, Elections ACT will amalgamate any votes from completed polling places and will publish an updated interim distribution of preferences.

Editor’s notes:

• The results website is available at https://www.electionresults.act.gov.au/.

• A high-level outline of the counting process is available at https://www.elections.act.gov.au/elections_and_voting/2020_legislative_assembly_election/counting-the-votes