Low voter turnout as $133 fine under question

The threat of coronavirus along with plans to make a $133 fine discretionary for non voters, saw a lacklustre day at Logan polling booths, with half of the city’s votes cast by Friday night.

There were no crowds at Loganlea State High School after 10am. PHOTOS: JENI FAULKNER

PLANS to waive a $133 fine for those who failed to vote because of the coronavirus played out at booths across Logan, where there was a lower-than-usual voter turn out on polling day.

More than half of the city’s 190,682 voters had cast their vote by Friday night with election watchers predicting no-show from a massive 57,000 people or 30 per cent.

Electoral Commission Pat Vidgen reiterated his stance that he would not be fining people who did not show up to vote because of the coronavirus.

“I have various powers under the act and I can issue warnings through to fining and it’s not that we just go straight to fining,” he said.

“We have a register of people who perhaps haven’t voted on one occasion or they may be a multiple offender and we will look at those circumstances.”

Ballot boxes, with supplied pens, were vacant for most of Saturday after 85,000 voters cast their vote before Friday night.

About 19,000 people in Logan were expected to vote via phone or post leaving about 10,000 to vote on Saturday at one of the city’s 50 booths.

Electoral Commission Queensland reported 1.8 million votes had been cast by Friday across the state with a further 1.4 million to go.

Former Beenleigh Chamber of Commerce president Karen Murphy, running as a candidate in Division 12, said only 10 per cent of voters were expected at the ballot box on Saturday.

Candidate and ex Chamber of Commerce president Karen Murphy said most people had voted and expected a 30 per cent no show.

“The coronavirus meant many did not want to risk it and most pre-polled,” she said.

“At the Beenleigh booths, there are usually between 700 to 1300 people on election day but today there were about 200 at each of the division’s booths.”

The low turnout amazed long-term electoral commission employees.

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There were no line ups and no banter at Longanlea State High School.

Officials said it was going to be a long day with no queuing since polls opened.

Some voters were even getting lost on arrival because there were no crowds to follow.

There were pencils out for voters but some did bring their own.

The Mika family of Loganlea was taking no changes.

The Mika family of Loganlea was not taking any chances. PHOTO: JENI FAULKNER

Mum Pearl said they bought masks in preparation for today but dad Toetu missed out.

“I went to trade tools and bought this spray painting mask today because we’d ran out of mask for our family and I wanted to be safe.”

Supporters for Stewart Fleming for mayor James Stokes and his daughter Evyette were the only spruikers outside said it was their first time out on the campaign trail.

“This is not what I expected,” Mr Stokes said.

We are going with the idea of building a better Logan with the LEGO head and we are doing the socially distancing.”

“It’s a lighter side to a serious issue.”

Voters Nikki Chapman and Andrew Sirett donned face masks as a precaution.

“My elderly father has heart problems and I work in essential services so you can’t be too careful,” Ms Chapman said.

“I haven’t had a chance to pre vote so this was the only time I could do it.”

Me Sirett agreed.

“I’m still in contact with others through work so I thought it was best to wear a mask today.”

The pair were in and out of the polls as soon as possible and said this would be their only outing today.

Earl;y voters at Shailer Park. PHOTO: JENI FAULKNER

One, who did not want to be named, said traffic “was dead” at a Browns Plain booth for Division 7 and 8, which covers Regents Park, Browns Plains, Boronia Heights, Crestmead and Park Ridge.

“When we opened up the doors this morning, there were a half-dozen people.”

The employee, who said he has worked more than a dozen elections at all levels of government, said he has “never seen anything like it.”

Voters reported sick family or housemates who were unable to vote today.

It was a similar story in Division 6, which covers Waterford West, Meadowbrook, Loganlea and Bethania.

Officials described being “bored out of their brains”.

However, polling booths at Shailer Park State High School (Division 10) and Greenbank Community Centre (Division 11) reported reasonable lines at their 8am opening, but that attendance quickly tapered off.