Voters are turning out in droves at early voting centres to avoid the lines and last minute rush at election day booths.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Centres in the electorates of Cunningham, Whitlam and Gilmore have seen 2281 more voters ahead of May 18 than the 2016 federal election, according to data from the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC).
Centres at Wollongong and Warilla opened last Monday. Centres at Corrimal, Dapto, Kiama and Engadine will be open from Monday.
In the first five days of voting, 565 more people voted in Cunningham's main centre at Crown Street Wollongong than in the same period last federal election.
One of the nation's most marginal electorates, Gilmore, had seen a significant increase in pre-pollers at the Nowra centre with 1693 more people casting their vote early.
Whitlam's main centre in Warilla had just 23 more people vote early.
The first day the centres opened saw nearly double the number of voters turn out in Cunningham and Gilmore than 2016.
One voter at the Wollongong centre, who wanted to remain anonymous, said she had to vote early because she would be overseas on May 18. The Austinmer resident said she was "totally inconvenienced" by having to travel to Wollongong to cast her vote.
"I have to travel half an hour just to do this rubbish," the voter said. "All the candidates are rubbish.
"The Australian Electoral Commission website said I could vote early in Burelli Street and that there would be parking available.
"But I can't and I had to come to the Crown Street centre and there is no parking. I am pissed off."
Cunningham voter Joanne O'Brien said she voted for Labor because the party was "more for the people and it listened to what we need".
"I came to vote early because it fits into my schedule better," she said.
"I am a dance teacher and sometimes I have to work on the weekend. I wanted to make sure I got my vote done."
North Wollongong resident Pat Nelbert said she was going to be away come election day and wanted to get in nice and early so she could stop thinking about having to vote.
Adeline said she usually voted early and was not concerned about any further political promises expected in the next two weeks because she was set on who was getting her vote.
While the Mercury was at the early voting centre several people tripped over a small ledge and slipped on the wet ground.
The returning officer had put down grip mats but residents continued to slip.
Residents can also apply for a postal vote by 6pm on May 15. Voting is compulsory for all people on the electoral roll on or before May 18.