How to vote early in this year’s federal election

Covid disruptions will change how polling booths are run and will also allow those who are sick to phone in their votes.

Covid will change how people vote at this year’s federal election with delays expected at polling booths and those who are sick allowed to phone in their vote.

The Australian Electoral Commission is warning voters to expect longer waits at polling booths due to Covid precautions including regular cleaning, social distancing and hand sanitising measures.

Telephone voting will also be expanded to allow people who test positive to Covid in the last three days of the election campaign to vote from home, if health authorities in the state require them to isolate.

Prior to that people who can’t make it to polling booths are being advised to apply to lodge a postal vote, with applications open until 6pm the Wednesday before election day.

Phone-in voting has traditionally been used by people who are blind, have low vision or are working in Antarctica. This year legislation has been changed so that those with Covid will also be able to use this service as an “emergency provision”.

The AEC says the process probably “won’t be smooth”.

“We’re scaling up what was otherwise a small service,” an AEC spokesman told news.com.au.

“So if people are thinking that they’re going to use this service for convenience instead of turning up in person, that is not what it’s about. You’ll wait longer on the phone than you will at a polling place.”

Given the Covid complications, many Australians are expected to vote early at certain booths or by post. In 2019, around 4 million people voted ahead of election day.

Those in hospital on election day may also need to vote early as special hospital teams that have traditionally visited institutions in the past will likely not operate.

“We’re still finalising our voter services offering this election in consultation with health authorities and we may not visit hospitals this election due to Covid safety concerns and hospital restrictions,” an AEC spokesman said.

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Covid-positive Aussies will be able to vote by phone at this year’s election. Picture: Bianca De Marchi/AAP

In this situation, people who know they’ll be in hospital on election day will be encouraged to vote early and to access postal voting where possible. At the last election 89,830 people voted through special hospital teams.

Teams may also not be able to visit all aged care centres, with residents urged to apply for a postal vote or to vote in person at a nearby booth.

As part of new measures to address Covid risks at voting booths, hygiene officers will be stationed at every venue to ensure measures are being followed.

Plastic inserts will be placed in every voting screen and will be cleaned regularly. Pencils will be sanitised after use, and there could also be QR check-in codes, venue capacity limits and masks required, depending on the rules in place at the time.

Here is what you need to know about voting this year.

Can I vote online?

The AEC has a number of voting options other than turning up to a polling place on election day, but casting your ballot online is not one of them.

You can apply for a postal vote to have your ballot papers sent to you in the mail by applying via the AEC website or completing a postal vote application form.

Mobile polling facilities are set up in some hospitals, nursing homes, prisons and remote areas for people who can’t get to a polling place.

And if you are blind or have low vision you can use the AEC’s telephone voting service.

You don’t have to be vaccinated

Although the AEC’s workers will be required to be vaccinated against Covid-19, any enrolled Australian will be able to vote regardless of whether they’ve had the jab.

Phone-in voting possible if you’re Covid positive

Anyone who is Covid positive in the three days leading up to election day will be able to register for phone-in voting, if state regulations require them to isolate. More details will be released ahead of election day.

No online voting will be available.

If you are diagnosed earlier, authorities recommend you register for postal voting.

Early voting will be available

Certain polling booths will be open two weeks ahead of election day to allow people to vote early. There will be enhanced hygiene measures to make the venues as Covid-safe as possible.

Voting on election day will begin at 8am and close at 6pm.

It may be a good idea for people to vote early this year if they want to avoid delays at polling booths on election day. Picture: Robert Pozo/AAP

Postal voting

You can also mail in your vote ahead of election day, with applications accepted until 6pm on the Wednesday before polling day.

You can apply online or fill in a form available from any AEC office. You can also ring 13 23 26 to ask for a form to be sent to you.

Ballot papers will be sent to the address you’ve nominated — either your home or an alternative address. Your vote will also need to be witnessed by someone who is on the electoral roll.

For those living overseas, postal voting will be the most likely option as voting centres will not be available in every country.

Check your enrolment

In order to vote you must be enrolled, you can check your details at the AEC website. You can also update your details if you have moved.