Gold Coast City Council election 2024: Voting begins at pre-poll booths across the city
Record crowds turned up at pre-poll booths on the first day of voting for the Gold Coast 2024 local government election, causing parking chaos and huge delays. FULL LIST OF BOOTHS
Council Election
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Record crowds turned up at pre-poll booths on the first day of voting for the Gold Coast 2024 local government election, causing parking chaos and huge delays.
Hinterland-based councillor Glenn Tozer had visited booths at Mudgeeraba, Burleigh Waters, Broadbeach, Pacific Pines and Helensvale by midmorning on Monday and was stunned by the turnout.
“I’ve been a five booths. It’s pumping. It was difficult to get a park at every place,” he said.
“Everyone (the candidates) has their mum on board. I've got mine, Carolyn, out here.”
At Lawson Street in Southport where there was a consistent line-up of more than 100 voters by 10am, experienced volunteers admitted shock at the voter response.
“I’ve done a lot of elections. This is the first time I’ve seen a rush like this,” a veteran volunteer said.
Southport-based councillor Brooke Patterson said: “Everyone is wanting to get in and beat the crowd but it has created a crowd. There would be 100 people here and it has been like this since the start.
“The ECQ says around 70 per cent of people will pre-poll. My bet would be to come midafternoon.”
Booth workers said both Mayor Tom Tate and his rival Eddy Sarroff appeared “optimistic”.
The seven other candidates, by comparison, had little signage or booth workers.
Mr Sarroff appeared emotional when he greeted some supporters, holding back tears.
“With what we are seeing, we are happy, we are very happy,” he told the Bulletin.
“It’s been two weeks now and we are full steam ahead. It’s good to see a positive response. We won’t know until the vote is counted.”
Mayor Tom Tate at Southport enjoyed a chat with former Borbidge Government Minister Mick Veivers who was handing out for him. He later spoke to former councillor Dawn Crichlow who is volunteer for sister-in-law Sam Delmege running against Cr Patterson.
“It’s been good on the pre-poll, people are polite but I don’t know which way they are voting,” Mr Tate said.
“They say hello to me and they are not swearing at me so that’s a good indication.”
EARLIER:
Candidates have started preparing pre-polling booths as early as 5.30am as voting kicks off at 9am in the Gold Coast City Council local government election.
Division Seven candidate Joe Wilkinson was at the Runaway Bay booth at dawn setting up his marquee for volunteers.
Election day is on March 16 but up to two-thirds of voters could have voted before then.
“I’ve been here since 5.30am setting up what I need to set up,” Mr Wilkinson said.
Like most candidates serious about winning this poll, he will need up to a dozen volunteers working about four booths in their division for the next two weeks.
“There will be people rotating through all the time. It changes throughout the day. I’m very fortunate, I’m appreciative to have such good support,” he said.
Pre-poll voting is from 9am to 5pm on weekdays. On March 15, on election eve, pre-poll will be from 9am to 6pm.
Here are a list of pre-poll booths.
* Ormeau Early Voting Centre, Ormeau Community Centre, 3 Cuthbert Drive (Cnr Pascoe Road)
* Helensvale South Early Voting Centre, Helensvale Community Centre, 31 Discovery Drive
* Runaway Bay Early Voting Centre, Runaway Bay Community Centre, Lae Drive
* Pacific Pines Early Voting Centre, Pacific Pines Community Centre, 136 Pacific Pines Boulevard
* Southport Early Voting Centre, Southport Community Centre, 6 Lawson Street
* Mudgeeraba Early Voting Centre, Mudgeeraba Foundation Centre, 7 School Street
* Burleigh Heads Early Voting Centre, Burleigh Waters Community Centre, 11/136 Christine Avenue
* Mermaid Waters Early Voting Centre, Broadbeach Cultural Centre, Cnr Hooker & Sunshine boulevards
* Currumbin Waters Early Voting Centre, Elanora Community Centre, 26 Galleon Way
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