If you can't make it to the polling booth on May 18 to cast your vote and grab a democracy sausage then visit one of these early voting centres.
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Early voting for the federal election starts on Monday at Wollongong and Warilla only. All other early voting centres are open from Monday, May 6.
Early voting centres
- 3/51 Crown Street, Wollongong (opens Monday, April 29).
- Corrimal District Library and Community Centre, 15 Short Street, Corrimal (opens May 6).
- Dapto Ribbionwood Centre - 93-109 Princes Highway, Dapto (opens May 6).
- 2/144 Shellharbour Road Warilla (opens Monday, April 29).
- The Pavilion, Bong Bong Street, Kiama (opens May 6).
- 2/30-34 Station Street Engadine (opens May 6).
Opening times:
- Monday 29 April - Friday 3 May (8:30 -17:30) Wollongong and Warilla early voting centres only.
- Monday 6 May - Thursday 9 May (8:30 -17:30) All Illawarra early voting centres open.
- Friday 10 May (8:30 -18:00)
- Saturday 11 May (9:00 -16:00)
- Monday 13 May - Tuesday 14 May (8:30 -17:30)
- Wednesday 15 May (8:30 -18:00)
- Thursday 16 May (8:30 -17:30)
- Friday 17 May (8:30 -18:00)
All pre-poll locations are wheelchair accessible.
Postal voting
You need to apply for a postal vote before 6pm May 15.
Submit and application via the Australian Electoral Commission website.
Once you have submitted your application for a postal vote, the AEC will send your ballot paper to the postal address you have provided.
Ballot papers must be completed and witnessed on or before election day Saturday 18 May 2019 , and posted back to the AEC within 13 days after the federal election.
Australian Electoral Commission mobile voting
Australian Electoral Commission mobile polling teams visit many voters who are not able to get to a polling place. Mobile polling facilities are set up in some hospitals, nursing homes, prisons and remote areas of Australia. Mobile polling is carried out around Australia during the election period.
Telephone voting
If you are blind or have low vision, you can cast your vote through the Australian Electoral Commission's telephone voting service.
Voters living with disability may also be eligible to cast their vote by post, or can vote with assistance at a polling place.
Who is eligible to vote early or pre-poll?
You may be eligible to vote in person before election day at an early voting centre if you:
- are outside the electorate where you are enrolled to vote
- are more than 8km from a polling place
- are travelling
- are unable to leave your 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 you 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 fear for your safety
Voting on election day
You can vote at any polling place in your state or territory on election day. Polling places are usually located at local schools, churches and community halls, or public buildings.
Voting is compulsory for all people on the electoral roll.
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