Picture: AEC
Early voting for the 2024 Queensland elections has been extended by two hours a day in more than 200 centres across the state.
Queensland Electoral Commissioner Pat Vidgen says early voting is now open from 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday and runs until Friday, October 25. The state general election will be held on Saturday, October 26.
“We have expanded voting opportunities for this election by extending early voting by two hours a day and increasing staff numbers to enhance the voting experience for Queensland’s 3.7 million voters,” he says.
“Close to five million ballot papers have been printed and securely transferred to all our early voting centres to meet the demand of electors who choose to vote at early voting centres.
“We are aware many Queenslanders prefer to vote early, and our staff have been busy over the last few months making sure these services will be available for early voters from today.”
Vidgen says voters must bring their Voter Information Card with them and should be receiving them now.
“Voters are now receiving their maroon Voter Information Card in the mail; by taking it along to a booth, they will be marked-off faster. If you forget your card, you can still vote without it,” he says.
“Even if you have applied for a postal vote, you can also attend a polling booth anywhere in Queensland and vote in person.”
Requests for a postal vote have closed with postal forms sent out after the closure of candidate nominations and printing of ballot papers last week.
For workers in the Brisbane CBD, Brisbane City Hall will again host early voting.
“To ensure your vote counts, make sure (that) you number all the boxes on the ballot paper in order of your preference,” Vidgen says.
● Meanwhile, Vidgen also has advice for voters in Ipswich City Council’s Division 4 ward who must vote in a by-election in their area as well.
When arriving at a polling booth, those voters will receive two ballot papers to vote in both elections, he says.
“Please follow the instructions on your ballot paper or ask our election staff for assistance.”
Voters are reminded that voting is compulsory and failure to do so can attract a fine.
NEED TO KNOW
- Find the candidates listed in ballot paper order on the ECQ website
- Find your nearest polling booth or early voting centre
- Make sure you’re correctly enrolled at aec.gov.au
