Early voting in the federal election has started. 

Here’s how it works:

If you can’t make it to the ballot box on 21 May, you can walk into a prepolling centre and cast your vote.

From 09-05-22, more than 500 voting centres across the country will begin operation, and anyone unable to vote on election day can walk into a prepolling centre and cast their vote.

Six common questions about prepolling:

1. Do I have to register to vote at a prepoll centre?

No, you can walk into any early voting centre.

2. Where can I vote early?

The Australian Electoral Commission has a list of the more than 500 early voting centres.

Polling places in and around Port Macquarie (Cowper):

* Shop 1, 11 Clifton Dr, Port Macquarie

* Unit 2, 171 Lake Rd, Port Macquarie

* 80-82 Smith St, Kempsey

Nambucca Heads RSL Club, 3 Nelson St, Nambucca Heads

C.ex Coffs International Stadium, Stadium Dr, Coffs Harbour

Most centres operate from 8am to 6pm, however some will have extended hours.

3. Do I have to vote at a prepoll centre in my enrolled electorate?

No. You can cast your vote at any early voting centre (provided you haven’t already voted).

4. Am I eligible to vote early? Will I be turned away for my reason?

In short, you’re the judge of your own eligibility for early voting.

The AEC commissioner, Tom Rogers, said Australians should still consider elections as “in-person events”, where “once every three years the country comes together in a transparent and secure environment to have their say”.

“If you can vote on election day then that’s what you should do,” Rogers said.

“However, if your circumstances might prevent you from doing that then you need to think about the early voting options available, and vote according to your circumstances.”

5. Are Covid safety measures in place at early polling centres?

Yes. The AEC will have dedicated hygiene officers to regularly sanitise surfaces and pencils at all AEC early voting centres, and social distancing will be enforced. Queues will also be controlled to ensure safe distancing.

According to the AEC website, “Voters do not need to be vaccinated to attend a voting centre and campaign activities (including handing out how-to-vote cards) can occur, in line with local health directions and electoral laws”.

6. Are early voting centres the same as postal voting?

No. You can apply for postal voting if you’re unable to get to a polling place on election day. The AEC has already been accepting postal voting registrations, and it encourages those hoping to vote by post to apply as soon as possible, especially for overseas voters.

Postal voters must complete their ballots on or before election day, and are urged to return it as soon as possible.

Postal votes must be received by the AEC no later than 13 days after the election to be counted.