NSW election 2023: Concerns over count speed after record 1.5m pre-poll votes cast

An eye-watering 1.57 million voters across NSW have already cast their ballot before today’s state election, prompting concerns over the speed of some results. See the numbers.

An eye-watering 1.57 million people across NSW – 28 per cent of eligible voters – have already cast their ballot before today’s state election, prompting concerns over the speed of some results.

The latest and final pre-poll figures from the NSW Electoral Commission revealed 1.57 million queued up early at polling stations across the state to beat the election day queues – and have a vote-free Saturday – smashing state records.

By comparison, about 1.1 million pre-poll votes were cast in 2019, the previous record.

However, one expert has raised concerns that the influx of early votes – only some pre-poll ballot boxes will be counted on election night – could slow down the final results in some key seats.

Voters queue up at The Entrance Public School to vote, although 1.5m voters chose to evade the election-day queues.

“It would slow down the count, because pre-poll voters aren’t traditionally counted on the night,” social analyst Mark McCrindle said.

“That’s part of the challenge of the election now, knowing when we’ll get some of the results.”

The NSWEC also revealed about 130,000 postal votes had been returned.

Both pre-poll and postal votes are predominantly tallied after votes cast on election day, meaning in crucial marginal battlegrounds – even Labor leader Chris Minns’ seat of Kogarah, which he holds by a notional 0.1 per cent – it could be a wait to confirm the eventual victor.

Early votes smash records as numbers surge

Friday, 4pm

NSW residents have flocked to pre-polling stations in record numbers, with the amount of early votes smashing state records as “broad social trends ” saw people prioritise their Saturday over the vote.

After a week of pre-polling, with a final update expected on Friday evening, almost 1-in-4 voters had already cast their ballot – with one expert believing it could “slow down the count”.

At the time of publication, 1,199,121 million people had already voted – of 5,521,688 eligible voters, over 100,000 more than 2019’s total early voting figure, with Friday’s figures yet to be added.

A NSWEC spokeswoman said a further final update would come in after polls closed on Friday, potentially pushing up the percentage of voters who pre-polled, currently at 21.7 per cent.

“People have something better to do on their Saturdays,” Professor Greg Melleuish, an election analyst at the University of Wollongong, said.

Record numbers chose to head to pre-polls.

“They prefer to get it out of the way.”

Social analyst Mark McCrindle said – although expedited by Covid – it was a shift to prioritise your Saturday and life over the election.

“People are now opting to pre-poll so they can plan the vote around their own life, rather than conform their life to vote,” Mr McCrindle said, who added this was keeping with “broader social trends”.

He compared it with watching television on demand when you wanted or more flexible and extended shopping hours.

“We expect to do the same with voting – it’s about fitting it in around our lives, rather than juggling,” he said.

Greg Melleuish, University of Wollongong.

Dr Rebecca Huntley, a research director at data think-tank 89 Degrees East, said it could indicate a “polarisation of the electorate”.

“You have increasingly more hardwired voters who are going to vote a certain way no matter what happens,” she said.

“Or. people so disengaged with politics it doesn’t matter (and who thus vote early).

“So we’re getting voters who are increasingly engaged and interested in politics in some cohorts, and some who are increasingly disengaged in others.”

Social analyst Mark McCrindle.

The results of a handful of closely fought marginals, predicted to decide the outcome, could be delayed as result of the surge in pre-polling.

“It would slow down the count, because pre-poll voters aren’t traditionally counted on the night,” Mr McCrindle said.

“That’s part of the challenge of the election now, knowing when we’ll get some of the results.”

According to the NSWEC’s date, 540,208 postal vote applications were sent out – almost 10 per cent of the electorate – with about 93,000 so far returned.

On an electorate level, the most early votes have been cast in the seat of Myall Lakes, a total of 19,505, as at 8am Friday.

NSW election 2023: Where to vote, meet your local candidates before polling day

With the clock ticking on the final hours of the NSW state election campaign, who’s got your vote?

Many NSW voters have already made up their mind and cast their vote – the latest figures from the NSW Electoral Commission show, as of 9am on Friday, a record 1.2 million people had already voted at prepoll booths.

But for those hitting the polling stations on Saturday there’s still some weighing up to be done.

NewsLocal have done some of the legwork for you – talking to candidates across the state to learn a bit more about their stances, views and background. From the Tweed to Bega, from Sydney’s eastern suburbs to Dubbo: we’ve compiled the candidates standing in your local seat.

Here is every polling station across NSW, so if you’re unsure of where to go on the last day of pre-poll and on the day, we’ve got you covered.

If you’re a voter in the Upper Hunter, Heathcote, East Hills, Penrith and Leppington – five key marginals for both Labor and the Coalition – NewsLocal dag a bit deeper, profiling some of the key candidates in our probing ‘seats of power’ video series. We asked their stances on key area-specific issues, but also their favourite tracks on Spotify and what would they wear to a fancy dress party...