Australia Votes: Kim4Canberra casts her vote

ACT senate hopeful Professor Kim Rubenstein has cast her vote early ahead of election day, accompanied by her merry band of supporters.

Independent senate hopeful Kim Rubenstein has joined thousands of Australians voting early in the federal election.

Accompanied by her supporters, who donned curly purple wigs and signature scarfs, Professor Rubenstein walked from Lake Burley Griffin to Old Parliament House to exercise her democratic right.

“It feels quite emotional to be walking to Old Parliament House, which is a wonderful place to vote, to be voting on a ballot where the party I’ve created is above the line and my name is below the line,” she said.

The law professor and human rights campaigner said she knew her path to success in the senate was difficult but said she was staying positive ahead of election day.

“The mood on the ground has been extremely strong about the need to change the way we do politics,” Professor Rubenstein said.

“People have come up to me saying how excited they are because I'm running.”

Senate hopeful Kim Rubenstein on her way to cast her vote ahead of Election Day. Picture: Julia Kanapathippillai

The law professor and human rights advocate said regardless of the result she would remain an active citizen in the nation’s capital.

“Everything I have done up to now and everything I plan to continue to do has centred on active citizenship,” Professor Rubenstein said.

“So whether it’s in parliament or outside parliament I plan to continue to send messages designed to improve our system of democracy and governance.”

While Canberra is synonymous with the centre of Australia’s political power, Professor Rubenstein and other candidates including fellow independent David Pocock have drawn attention to what they see as a lack of political representation for Canberrans.

Professor Rubenstein has promised if elected she will fight for territory rights and to increase the number of senators in the ACT.

“Having four senators would mean you would guarantee the major parties would never take Canberra for granted again,” she said.

“If (the ACT) has more senators you have more opportunity to resist any attempt by the federal government to override ACT legislation.”

Professor Kim Rubenstein was joined by supporters when she cast her vote on Friday. Picture: Julia Kanapathippillai

Early voting is seen by many as a relatively new phenomenon in Australian democracy but the ability to vote early was vital for the senate hopeful.

As a proud Jewish woman Professor Rubenstein observes the Sabbath and cannot vote on election day.

On the Sabbath, which is observed between sundown on Fridays and sundown on Saturdays, many observant Jews do not drive, use electricity or do tasks like voting or using money.

This also means on election day Professor Rubenstein will walk to nearby polling places to speak with voters.

But come sundown she will be able to celebrate with her supporters at an election night function in Weston Creek.