Qld election 2020: When is it? How to vote? Who are the candidates?

With less than eight weeks to go until Queensland’s first state election amid the coronavirus pandemic, here’s everything you need to know.

Queensland’s first state election amid the coronavirus pandemic will no doubt look different to years past.

With just under eight weeks to go until what will be a COVID-safe election day, likely gone are the hopes of an election day sausage sizzle and candidates greeting voters with hugs and handshakes.

The Electoral Commission Queensland (ECQ) are planning a ‘mixed model’ election, which will feature expanded in-person and postal voting options and measures implemented on the basis of chief health officer Dr Jeanette Young’s advice.

From how to vote to what impacts coronavirus will have come election day, here’s everything you need to know.

WHEN IS IT?

This year’s election is scheduled for Saturday, October 31.

THE CANDIDATES

Current Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk will run for re-election on behalf of the Labor Party, while Opposition leader Deb Frecklington will run on behalf of the LNP.

Front of mind will no doubt be how each candidate plans to deal with the continued COVID-19 pandemic. A number of Ms Palaszczuk’s decisions, particularly her hard border stance, have been criticised as simply election tactics, rather than a move to keep Queenslanders safe.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk. Picture: Liam Kidston

Opposition leader Deb Frecklington.

HOW TO VOTE

There are three ways Queenslanders can lodge their vote: early voting (pre-poll), postal voting, or physically lining up and voting on October 31.

Postal voting applications will open next Monday, September 14, with a link made available to apply on the ECQ’s website. Postal votes will be sent to electors at their nominated address.

Early voting (pre-poll) will run from October 19 until October 30, with approximately 200 early voting centres to open at locations across Queensland. The centres will operate under expanded opening hours, and voters will be encouraged to come and vote outside peak periods.

Those who decide to vote on election day will be able to so at one of approximately 1300 locations across Queensland, with all polling booths to be open from 8am to 6pm on October 31.

This year, telephone voting will also be available to voters who meet certain criteria, with special arrangements also in place for ‘declared institutions’ like aged care facilities.

There are three ways Queenslanders can lodge their vote: early voting (pre-poll), postal voting, or physically lining up and voting on October 31.

HOW WILL COVID-19 IMPACT THIS YEAR’S ELECTION?

Attorney-General Yvette D’Ath told The Brisbane Times in June that work was being done to increase pre-poll locations, extend booth hours and ramp up phone voting in the two weeks before election day, so as to keep things COVID-safe.

Fundraising events on election day – like the beloved sausage sizzle – will only be permitted if the chief health officer’s advice supports this occurring.

According to the ECQ, physical distancing will be in place at all polling locations, with 1.5 metre distancing maintained and alternate polling screens used.

Hand sanitiser and additional cleaning products will be supplied, and voters will be encouraged to bring their own pens or pencils.

Additional staff will also be employed for queue control and to assist with physical distancing measures.

HOW DO I UPDATE MY DETAILS?

It’s worth remembering that voting in an election is compulsory for all Queenslanders over the age of 18 – failure to do so could incur a fine.

You can check your enrolment, enrol to vote or update your details on the Australian Electoral Commission website.

If you have moved, you are eligible to enrol at your new address if you’ve lived there for at least one month.