Election: postal voting and early polling

The State election is now just two weeks away and I can smell the sausage sizzles already! My office is getting hundreds of inquiries so I thought this quick guide might save a few people making phone calls.

POSTAL VOTING: If you've already applied, the Electoral Commission will begin mailing your ballot papers to you from Monday. If you haven't applied yet, applications close on March 20. At this late stage, if you require a postal vote, apply online directly with the Electoral Commission HERE. Please remember that the Electoral Commission will receive postal votes up until April 6, so if you're coming back from holidays after the election, your vote can still count if it arrives at the Commission before 5pm on April 6.

iVOTE: There is no online voting option at this election. You may remember that there were problems with the iVote system at the federal election and at local government elections. A new, more secure model is being built by the Electoral Commission but won't be available until future elections.

TRAVELLING? If you're travelling elsewhere in NSW on election day you'll be able to vote absentee at any polling station statewide on March 25. If you're travelling in another state or will be overseas, you won't be able to vote at all and will need to explain your situation to the Electoral Commission when they send you a 'please explain'.

EARLY VOTING: There will be three pre-poll centres in the local area at Toronto, Cooranbong and Speers Point. Full details here:

TORONTO

3A/66 The Boulevarde (the former cafe opposite the Post Office)

Opening Hours:

Sat March 18 to Fri Mar 24

Sat: 9:00am - 6:00pm

Mon - Wed: 8:30am - 5:30pm

Thu: 8:30am - 8:00pm

Fri: 8:30am - 6:00pm

COORANBONG

Cooranbong Community Centre

614 Freemans Drive

Opening Hours:

Mon March 20 to Fri Mar 24

Mon - Wed: 8:30am - 5:30pm

Thu: 8:30am - 8:00pm

Fri: 8:30am - 4:00pm

SPEERS POINT

Speers Point Masonic Hall

81 Lakeview Street

Opening Hours:

Sat: 9:00am - 6:00pm

Sat March 18 to Fri Mar 24

Mon - Wed: 8:30am - 5:30pm

Thu: 8:30am - 8:00pm

Fri: 8:30am - 6:00pm

POLLING PLACES: If you're voting on election day, you'll find your nearest voting booth HERE.

CHANGED ADDRESS? It's too late to change it in time for the March 25 election. You can either vote absentee or vote in the electorate of your previous address

VOTE WISELY: Let’s keep party politics out of Lake Macquarie and keep it proudly independent!

MORE QUESTIONS? Please don't call my office today as there's no one there. Try Monday from 8am on 4959-3200, or check out the Q&As HERE.